What is the CBV?
The CBV is a tool that gives farmers an insight into the genetic value of animals destined for beef production. It comprises traits that are of economic importance to a non-breeding (drystock) farmer, such as carcass weight, conformation and feed intake.
CBV is expressed as a €uro value like the EBI and Euro-Star Indexes. The higher the €uro value, the higher the animals genetic merit for the traits included. Having the CBV available will allow you to make more informed decisions when purchasing animals’.
Struggling to make the right decision?
Knowing which calf is likely to exhibit good beefing qualities over their lifetime can be difficult when purchasing them at three to four weeks of age.
The Solution is the CBV
The CBV gives farmers an insight into the genetic merit of a calf and will help to put a more accurate value on it.
Why is it important to have the CBV to hand when purchasing?
There can be massive variation in the beef merit of calves even within breeds. ICBF research has shown that calves bred from higher genetic merit beef bulls have higher carcass weights, better conformation and are more likely to meet factory specifications than calves bred from lower genetic merit beef bulls.
The tables below highlight the importance of having the CBV to hand when purchasing animals. The data in both tables is based on animals that were finished in 2023, broken down by their CBV.
What is the bottom, top and average CBV by breed?
What does the data show?
There can be massive variation in the beef merit of calves even within breeds. ICBF research has shown that calves bred from higher genetic merit beef bulls have higher carcass weights, better conformation and are more likely to meet factory specifications than calves bred from lower genetic merit beef bulls.
The tables below highlight the importance of having the CBV to hand when purchasing animals. The data in both tables is based on animals that were finished in 2023, broken down by their CBV.
Where can I find the CBV?
- Only genotyped animals will have a CBV available on mart boards.
- Where purchasing animals privately, the seller can access the CBV information through their HerdPlus accounts.
- In order for a CBV to generate, the calf must have a recorded sire.
- Buying calves without a sire means you are taking a gamble on their genetic merit potential.
What tools are available to me?
The ICBF ‘Mart Tracker’ is a new online tool which will allow farmers to see what animals are for sale in marts each day. Every animal put forward for sale at a mart has its passport (blue card) scanned at the intake. The animal’s details are then transferred to ICBF to check if there are genetic index details available e.g. Euro-Star details, CBV, etc. Once the passport is scanned, ICBF knows that the animal is for sale in the mart that has sent in the tag number.
The Commercial Beef Value Online Profile—a groundbreaking tool tailored specifically for non-breeding beef farmers. This profile offers valuable insights into the beef genetic potential of commercial prime cattle, allowing you to make informed purchasing decisions, especially when buying calves and weanlings. The CBV is displayed as € value and star rating on the mart screen. For private purchases the seller can provide this information.
The online Finishing Profile, is an interactive tool which allows you to assess your herd’s finishing performance both at the herd level and for individual animals, providing a comprehensive overview of your farm’s efficiency.
For more information on the Commercial Beef Value, please contact the HerdPlus office on 023-8820452 or email [email protected]