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A key objective of the Thrive programme is to improve the key beef genetics of the dairy beef calf.
By using the dairy beef index (DBI), the aim is to select sires that will deliver better carcase weight and conformation scores, while not compromising on important traits to the dairy farmer, such as gestation length and calving ease.
Adam Woods and Declan Marren take a look at the genetics on the demonstration farm, while, in studio, Jack Kennedy is joined by Andrew Cromie of the ICBF, Rose Goulding of NCBC, John Lynch of Dovea Genetics and Adam Woods to discuss the challenges faced in correcting what has been a steady decline in carcase weights from dairy beef animals over the past number of years.
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