Beef Genomics Scheme strategy under way soon
This strategy will get under way shortly, with the Department of Agriculture sending out 2014 Beef Genomics Scheme (BGS) application forms to 70,000 beef farmers. This scheme will pay farmers €40 per calf. They must also participate in the 2014 Beef Data Programme (BDP), which pays €20 per calf, and fulfil other scheme requirements.
After an application period over the next four to six weeks, farmers will be instructed on how to submit samples (for DNA genotyping) from their stock bulls and from 15% of their female animals, for the 2014 scheme. The cows to be sampled will be nominated by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), which will use the samples to build up genetic knowledge of the beef herd. Sampling kits costing €30 will be sent to farmers. They will get a BGS and BDP total payment of €60 for every calf in the herd, if complying with all scheme rules (which include removal of BVD positive or inconclusive calves).
