Organisation: Irish Cattle Breeding Federation

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

farming

36.1% increase for beef breeding in the dairy herd since 2015

Use of beef sires is up 7%, for the 1,124,858 dairy calvings in 2020 to mid-April, according to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

farming

Chance for Ireland to consolidate its world-leading bovine traceability

DNA-based calf registration is now feasible, following development of this since 2018 by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) and the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM).

farming

Bid to breed cattle which are more feed-efficient and emit less methane

Breeding animals that utilise feed better and which emit less methane is the aim of a two-year research study of 300 cattle at the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) progeny test centre in Tully, Co Kildare.

farming

Farmers welcome new simplified BDGP rules

farming

ICBF findings open way for breeding against TB and liver fluke

farming

Limerick hurlers win the National Dairy Show supreme championship

Why do the EBIs of my animals keep changing?

The latest proofs (Eurostar and EBI figures) have been updated by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), and are available to view for every animal, in your HerdPlus profiles.

Thu, 13 Sep, 2018

BDGP star rating movements as expected

ICBF says BDGP is excellent success for beef farmers

Fri, 29 Jun, 2018

It’s time to talk about sustainability - Teagasc warns on farm emissions

Any worthwhile relationship can withstand an honest conversation. The best relationships are empowered when directness replaces fudge; when a spade is called a spade.

Wed, 13 Jun, 2018

Buyers go online to find the beef bull they need

Beef bulls have gone online, with 8,173 views of ICBF’s Stockbull Finder service in its first two months, after it was launched in early October.

Thu, 01 Feb, 2018

Mixed reactions to ICBF contribution agreement

Beef and suckler farmers should be consulted before Ireland settles on a breeding strategy based upon the New Zealand model, says ICSA suckler chairman John Halley.

Fri, 04 Aug, 2017

Cattle tag suppliers make contribution of 38c to ICBF on all new tag sets

Cattle tag suppliers will make a contribution of 38c to ICBF on all new tag sets sold, as part of a new for the Irish Cattle breeding Federation (ICBF), starting November 1, 2017.

Thu, 03 Aug, 2017

Advice for dairy farmers: Consider fixed time AI for some late calvers

The average calving interval has dropped from 402 days in 2011 to about 390 days.

Fri, 12 May, 2017

Advice for dairy farmers: 1.7m Irish dairy cows by 2025

Future prospects for the Irish dairy industry remain positive, according to the ‘Road Maps to Better Farming 2020’ published by Teagasc.

Thu, 30 Mar, 2017

Over 50% of Irish cows are milk recorded

Data from the ICBF shows a huge increase in milk recording since 2005, the largest annual increase, 11%, being in 2011. There were increases of a 5% in 2014 and 10% in 2015.

Thu, 09 Mar, 2017

Q&A: Bovine tuberculosis explained

Ever wondered how the TB test works and why we have to do them every year?

Thu, 24 Nov, 2016

Controlling mastitis: First step is get herd somatic cell count well under 200,000

One of the most important aids to controlling mastitis and keeping the somatic cell count (SCC) down is the information from herd milk recording and other information from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

Thu, 10 Nov, 2016

Genomics here to stay in cattle breeding

Put the word genomics in your vocabulary, as it’s here to stay, and its impact on cattle management and breeding is only going to intensify.

Thu, 27 Oct, 2016

Yet another big National Dairy Show win for the Barretts of Cork

Good tidings from Agriculture Minister Michael Creed at busy 2016 National Dairy Show in Millstreet.

Thu, 27 Oct, 2016

Electronic displays at marts to be grant aided

New electronic data displays in livestock marts are to be grant aided, it was revealed yesterday.

Tue, 24 May, 2016

News Q&A: Open day at one-man, 100-cow suckler farm

Newford Farm, the 100-cow suckler-to-beef demonstration herd launched in 2015 and located in Athenry, Co Galway, will host a national open day on Wednesday, May 25.

Thu, 19 May, 2016

Advice for dairy farmers: Late calvers are often neglected part of the herd

According to Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), the average calving interval on Irish farms is around 400 days. The ideal target is 365 days.

Thu, 05 May, 2016

Advice for dairy farmers: Genomics can help double Irish production

Less than a decade ago, very few farmers were aware of genomics in animal breeding.

Thu, 14 Apr, 2016

Genotyping pays off four to one: ICBF

Beef and dairy farmers who embrace the latest genomic technology can earn a four to one return on investment, according to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

Thu, 24 Mar, 2016

Milk recording investment can repay ten-fold

Data from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) shows that there has been a huge increase in milk recording since 2005, the largest annual increase of 11% being in 2011.

Thu, 17 Mar, 2016

Technology vital for food and farming to compete

A recent report and conference offer up plenty food for thought on the future innovations for farming.

Thu, 17 Mar, 2016

Teagasc Moorepark survey results indicate how important calf hygiene is

A survey of 271 dairy farmers in 2013 indicated that more than 95% cleaned calf pens at some point in the year.

Thu, 04 Feb, 2016

World’s first project to genotype 1m cattle is part of BDGP

The world’s first project to genotype one million cattle is part of the huge amount of work and technological advances going on behind the scenes since the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP) was launched last May by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

Thu, 14 Jan, 2016

All you need to know about the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP)

The Department of Agriculture has answered the most frequently asked questions on the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP) at the recent nationwide series of information presentations by the Department and ICBF.

Thu, 17 Dec, 2015

Beef data payments due to be made next month

It is intended to make payments under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme in December to herds who have met their 2015 requirements, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney announced yesterday.

Tue, 24 Nov, 2015

More dairy farmers turn to milk recording

Cows milk recorded by the Munster, Progressive, and Tipperary organisations have increased 8.5% from 2014 to 2015.

Thu, 12 Nov, 2015

Call for more flexibility in beef data scheme

At the risk of making the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) even more complicated than it already is, there is a need to consider some recourse to appealing the star rating of cows in a farmer’s herd.

Mon, 21 Sep, 2015

Stephen Cadogan: IHFA praises ‘Yes We Can’ spirit of Irish dairy farmers

The current state of Irish dairy farming owes much to the leaders of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association, who have been rightly commended at the IHFA’s 50th anniversary celebrations this year.

Thu, 03 Sep, 2015

Guide to completing the Euro Star reports

Daniel Hession meets Christopher Daly of ICBF to discuss the Euro Star reports being sent to farmers

Thu, 27 Aug, 2015

Suckler cow payments begin this week

Payments to over 32,000 suckler cow farmers under the 2014 Beef Data Programme will start this week, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney announced yesterday.

Wed, 24 Jun, 2015

BDGP for more sustainable beef

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) was approved by the EU Commission on the basis of climate change benefits, while at the same time improving the genetic merit of the national beef herd.

Thu, 18 Jun, 2015

29,000 apply in BDGP but final tally not clear yet

It will not be known until much later this year how many farmers will take part in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP).

Thu, 11 Jun, 2015

Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) deadline extended one week, to tomorrow

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has extended the deadline for Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) applications, by one week,until tomorrow, Friday, June 5.

Thu, 04 Jun, 2015

Q&A: 2015 basis for BDGP in exceptional cases

Exceptions can be made to allow a 2015 basis in the beef data and genomics programme, for some new entrants, or applicants by force majeure circumstances in 2014.

Thu, 28 May, 2015

Scheme needs flexibility to reflect suckler farming reality

The recent introduction of a Beef Data and Genomics scheme as part of our wider rural development programme has been heralded as an essential support to the under-pressure suckler sector.

Mon, 18 May, 2015

Don’t buy any old bull; check figures

Bull buying advice from Pearse Kelly, Teagasc

Thu, 30 Apr, 2015

Farmers face fresh issues and planning will be key

While the retiring generation of farmers lament decades of constraining quotas, time will tell if the optimism of the new generation is justified or if they will lament the loss of certainty, writes Michael Brady

Wed, 01 Apr, 2015

We have over 50% of cows milk recorded

Data from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) shows that there has been a 35% increase in milk recording since 2005, the largest annual increase of 10% being in 2011.

Thu, 12 Mar, 2015

ICBF finds great variation in SCC counts

Recent information from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) showed that the average somatic cell count (SCC) of all cows recorded in the first 10 days of October this year was 215,000 (206,000 last year).

Thu, 06 Nov, 2014

Cows, technology feted at Millstreet

Beautiful cows and modern farming technology were the winners at Saturday’s National Dairy Show at Millstreet.

Mon, 20 Oct, 2014

Q&A ... Do you want to be a dairy farmer?

Do you want to be a dairy farmer? Here’s what you need to know.

Thu, 04 Sep, 2014

Cow reproductive efficiency falling

There is clear evidence that the reproductive efficiency of Irish beef cow herds is in decline, Teagasc experts told Beef 2014 at Grange, Co Meath.

Thu, 10 Jul, 2014

Processors should talk with farmers

Failure of communication from beef processors to cattle farmers has been highlighted by Beef Activation Group chairman Michael Dowling, at this week’s beef roundtable meeting.

Thu, 05 Jun, 2014

Big numbers to take part in two new beef schemes

Nearly 36,500 suckler farmers have applied to take part in both the 2014 Beef Genomics Scheme (BGS) and 2014 Beef Data Programme (BDP).

Thu, 05 Jun, 2014

Find opportunities in technology

Science-based innovation will help the meat industry become more competitive, grow markets and meet the latest consumer trends on a global stage says Teagasc’s director. Ray Ryan reports.

Mon, 02 Jun, 2014

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