Teagasc genomic test breakthrough could save farmers €115m a year

GENOMIC cattle tests costing just €50 could lead to a dramatic quality upgrade for the Irish herd, following a Teagasc breakthrough worth a collective €115 million a year to Irish farmers.

Until now the DNA selection tests cost €150. Now, effectively, for around €15 extra farmers can add the DNA test to the existing €35 mandatory parentage test for every pedigree registered male calf.

This is the likely first step. In time, Teagasc say farmers will increasingly see the value of testing female calves also.