On-farm recorded data is a vital element of the Irish genetic evaluation process and the creation of the Euro-Star and EBI indexes. Every herd owner in Ireland can act as a data collector for ICBF and in doing so contribute vital information to the database. (more…)
ICBF launched a new online tool for our HerdPlus members at the end of 2020. The BEAM calculator is designed to allow BEAM applicants to project forward their overall organic nitrogen produced. It is still available for those operating off of period 2 (01 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2021). Users can enter the stock numbers which they intend to have on farm from now until 31st Dec 2021. The BEAM calculator can then indicate whether you are meeting the required 5% BEAM scheme organic nitrogen reduction or not. (more…)
Health event recording helps to improve the reliability of the health and management traits of both the dairy and beef national herd. The continued recording of these traits will better place the Irish dairy and beef sectors to select the next generation of high health, easy management AI sires which will ultimately leave more profit for Irish farmers in the future. (more…)
With calving season coming to an end, total calf births registered in 2021 have now passed 2 million calves as of last week. (more…)
The September 2021 Evaluation will be published on 28th September. The final date to have any DNA samples (hair/tissue/AI straws returned to ICBF to have genomic evaluation published in September, is 7th July. (more…)
A lot has changed in the past 20 years, the same is true of the Euro-Star Index. The information below shows just how much progress has been made over the past 22 years. (more…)
30th June 2021 is the date by which BDGP herds using a stock bull must have an eligible bull in the herd. (more…)
The purpose of this scheme is to support beef farmers who are rearing calves from the dairy herd and to facilitate further the integration of the dairy and beef sectors. (more…)
With the 2021 breeding season well underway, now is a good time to look back at the previous breeding season. Below, we display the top 50 Beef AI bulls used on Beef Cows in 2020 based on the data recorded on the ICBF database. (more…)