The next Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) genetic evaluation run will be published on 21 March.

The final date to have any DNA samples returned to ICBF in order to be included in the evaluation is Wednesday 9 January.

This date should be of particular importance to pedigree breeders with ungenotyped bulls that they intend to sell in spring 2019, the ICBF said.

For AI, the ICBF will not issue an AI code for any bull unless a genotype has been received into the database.

AI bulls can be genotyped via semen and straws do not have to be viable, therefore they can be sent by post.

Change

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal last year on the change from three to six evaluation runs, the ICBF’s Dr Francis Kearney said it aims to reduce average potential changes to an animal’s index.

“As the volumes of data being included in each evaluation will be less, it is anticipated that the average potential changes to an animal's index based on new data will be reduced compared to the current schedule,” he said.

Previously, updates were carried out in April, August and December. From now on, genetic evaluations will be published in January, March, May, July, September and November.