Genotyping reveals 17% of calves registered with incorrect sire

As well as correcting registration errors and the accompanying risk of in-breeding, genotyping identifies problem animals with chromosomal abnormalities.

Since the NGP was launched in 2023, the share of the national dairy herd that is genotyped has increased very significantly.

In the calving season rush, mistakes are inevitable, and these are being revealed by the National Genotyping Programme (NGP). This year, about 17% of tag samples submitted by farmers for genotyping revealed the wrong sire was registered, there were 5-6% dam errors, and 3.2% breed errors.

The NGP offers free genotyping of all breeding stock in the first year, followed by mandatory €6 per calf genotyping thereafter.