Beef Data & Genomics Programme Information Meetings 2015 Teagasc Beef Specialists

Overview Scheme Requirements Information Received to Date Meeting the Breeding Targets What is the next steps

3 Requirement 1- Calving Details Same as Beef Data Programme Calving Ease Survey for each calf i.e. Animal Events sheet. In addition to normal tagging & registration requirements Using any one of the following methods: – – Department approved farm software providers – The ICBF Animal Events System – animal events book as provided by the ICBF As per the Suckler Scheme and last years Beef Data Programme

4 Requirement 2 - Surveys Same as Beef Data Programme (calf quality, calf docility, cow milk ability, cow temperament), with some additional information required e.g. calf size and vitality, cow/bull culling reasons. Complete survey forms in respect of all cows, calves and stock bulls on his/her holding annually. Farmers provided with notebooks for daily field recording (e.g. details of calf size and vigour). Forms now out and need to be completed As per the Suckler Scheme and last years Beef Data Programme

5 Requirement 3 - Genotyping Same approach as Beef Genomics Scheme; with increase in numbers. ICBF will select animals to be genotyped in each herd and will notify owners of the animals selected. Tissue tags will be supplied to the applicant for this purpose. Number = 60% of the number of calved suckler cows on the holding in Similar to BGS in 2014 i.e.15% of payment e.g. farmer with 15 reference animals in 2014 will genotype 9 animals (cows, heifers, calves or stock bulls) each year Genotyping Cost €22/sample Last year a 20 cow herds would have genotyped 4 animals, under this scheme a 20 cow herd will genotype 12 animals

6 Requirement 4 - Replacement Strategy ( i) Male replacements For applicants using a stock bull, at least one stock bull on the holding on 30 th June 2019 must have been a genotyped 4 or 5 star bull on either the Terminal or Replacement index – Where it is replaced in the period to 30 th June 2020, it must be replaced by a bull of equivalent genetic merit. Renting in bulls – inform DAFM before 30 th June 2016 and continue to use 4 or 5 star bulls for duration of Programme. – compliance with animal health and movement legislation – must have cleared a premovement test for TB and BVD. At least 80% of the AI used on participating holdings must be from 4 or 5 star bulls on either the Terminal or Replacement index – applies from 30 th June 2016 About 75% of 2014 BGS Herds already have a compliant bull.

7 Requirement 4 - Replacement Strategy (ii) Female replacements Criteria for replacements 4 or 5 stars on the replacement index at the time of purchase (for heifers brought into the herd) or at the time of genotyping (for those replacements bred within the herd). –Provision for purchasing non-genotyped heifers purchased by farmer. At least 16 months old Numbers to be achieved The number of heifers/eligible suckler cows meeting these criteria must On 31 st October 2018 = 20% of number of applicant’s reference animals On 31 st October 2020 = 50% of the number of applicant’s reference animals. –e.g. a farmer with 20 calved suckler cows in 2014 must have 10 females meeting these criteria by 31 st October 2020 About 50% of 2014 BGS Herds would currently meet the 2018 Requirement, about 30% would meet the 2019 requirement. (With a replacement rate of 15%, a herd will be normally replacing 18 of 20 cows in the scheme period.)

Requirements 5 & 6 – Carbon Navigator & Training Course Carbon Navigator – farm management tool which estimates the potential financial savings and green house gas reductions that could be made on each farm (i) Complete a Carbon Navigator with an approved advisor by 31 st October 2016 and update annually. DAFM covers the cost of the advisor Training Course Farmers must attend an approved BDGP training course before 31 st October Farmer receives €166 for participation Cost of training covered by DAFM

Reference Number No. of 4 & 5 Star animals in the Herd

Example No. Suckler Calf Births No. Genotype Samples per Annum10 animals (16 cows x 60%) Max. Payable Area required10.66 ha. (16 cows / 1.5 cows /ha.) Min. Forage ha. required8.53 ha. (10.66 ha. x 80%) (1) Reference Cows & Payment Max. Payment€1,430 (minus genotyping cost €220) On Forage Area (6.66ha. X €142.50) + (4 ha. x €120)= € On Cows (10 cows x €95) + (6 cows x €80)= €1,430

Example 10 Animals to be Genotyped each year (cost €220) Which Animals will be Genotyped? ICBF will nominate the 10 animals /annum What Animals for Genotyping? In 2015 priority was given to; Any stock bull not yet genotyped 4/5 star cows not yet genotyped, especially younger cows 4/5 star heifers born in Spring 2015.

Some Breeds will have Higher Replacement Index Values than Others €74 is starting value for 4 Star

Current stock bull will qualify for 30 th June 2019 Requirement High on Terminal Index €142 (Top 1%) Low in Replacement Index €45 (Bottom 30%) Young Bull 2012 born Stock Bull will be of Limited Value to Breed Replacement 4 & 5 Star females in this herd Bull Details

Selecting Bulls to Improve the Replacement Index Need to aim for a Replacement Index Value of above €74 Quality of the bull used will depend on current female values in the herd Bull will contribute Half the Value to the Progeny €140 RI value bull will contribute €70 €30 RI value bull will contribute €15 Example Cow RI Value €80 X Bull RI Value €102 (50% Cow value = €40) ( 50% Bull Value = €51) Progeny Replacement Value (€40 + €51) = €91

12 Animals Currently 4 & 5 Star Current Cow & Heifer Position

2 Five star Cows Born in ’04 &’08

Issues with the Current Herd 12 Animals currently 4 & 5 Star in the herd Will be required to have at least 8 genotyped 4 & 5 star animals by 31/10/2020 Top 2 cows only suitable with current stock bull to breed replacements Top Cow RI Value €146 2nd Cow RI Value €114 3rd Cow RI Value €98 X Lim Bull RI Value €45 Progeny A € 95 Progeny B € 79 Progeny C € 72

Options to Breed more 4 & 5 Star animals Issues with the Current Herd Consider using High Reliability High Index AI sire on top cows Bulls genotyped and higher reliability Choose from variety of breeds Can maintain a closed herd

Options to Breed more 4 & 5 Star animals Issues with the Current Herd If Replacing stock bull get a high replacement index genotyped bull (+€80) Need a genotyped animal Replacement value may be limited if you choose to stay with a specific breed Herd more vulnerable to bringing in disease

Options to Breed more 4 & 5 Star animals Issues with the Current Herd Look to source heifers from other herds (suckler or dairy cross) Marts will start to display heifers Indices Have some members in your discussion got surplus heifers May be only real option if the current cow base is low Herd will be more exposed to disease

1.Fill out the survey sheets on paper or online (Payments for 2015 will issue from mid December) Next steps??? Cow Data

Bull Data Calf Data

2. Tag the nominated animals for genotyping and return the samples

3. Go through your Eurostar Report & discuss with your Adviser What is the current position in your herd? (Cows/Heifers/Stock Bull) How will I ensure that I meet the female targets in 2018 and 2020? Will I need to use AI? Is it an option for me Can I breed my own replacement heifers? Am I better off buying in Replacements? When I come to replace my stock Bull what should I look for? Will I have surplus 4 & 5 star heifers to sell on? What should I do with my 1 & 2 Star cows? Are some of my animals likely to change once they are genotyped? There are many questions to be answered Start Planning Now!!

Thank You

Why target 4 & 5 Star Animals

27 Changes in Replacement Index.

Terminal Index €30 Replacement index €100 Current Replacement Index Key traits: Early maturity, calving ease, milk, fertility, survival, maintenance cost Key traits: Early maturity, calving ease, milk, fertility, survival, maintentance cost 50% females Key traits: calving gestation mortality docility Feed intake carcass 50% males Start Point: When you decide on a bull it’s profit per calf born. + Key traits: calving gestation mortality docility Feed intake carcass

New Replacement Index Key traits: Early maturity, calving ease, milk, fertility, survival, maintentance cost Key traits: Early maturity, calving ease, milk, fertility, survival, maintentance cost 50% females Start Point: When the female is being selected for breeding. + Key traits: calving gestation mortality docility Feed intake carcass