Cow weight changes in ICBF beef indices

IFA Livestock chairman Declan Hanrahan said significant work had been done on developing the weanling index, and discussions are ongoing regarding issues around how carbon efficiency might be incorporated.

The ICBF’s beef indices will be updated to reflect “substantive concerns” raised at recent stakeholder meetings, which currently see lower-weight breeds rewarded.

The minimum weight incorporated into the indices will now be set at 520kg 200 days after calving, which equates to a mature cow weight of 570kg.