asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what percentage of cows are at present being recorded; whether he is satisfied that the present system of marking calves sired by bulls standing at AI is sufficiently accurate to ensure that the progeny records themselves are completely accurate; and what figures are available concerning the national milk yields.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Progeny Testing and Milk Recording.
7.
About 2.5 per cent of cows are at present being recorded for various purposes under schemes operated by the cow testing associations, the AI stations and my Department.
As regards the marking of calves, I think the present system is satisfactory, though there may possibly be room in some cases for an improvement in its actual operation. I am considering this in the general context of progeny testing.
According to returns compiled by the Central Statistics Office, the overall average milk yield per cow in 1965 was 493 gallons.
Can the Minister say if it is a fact that it has taken about 40 million gallons extra to produce the same quantity of butter? If that is so, have any steps been taken to investigate the reason?
I am not aware of it, but if there is any truth in it, I shall have it investigated.
8.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what the present position is regarding the proposed new progeny testing and milk recording scheme; and what progress has been made by his Department in having discussions with the various bodies concerned with this scheme.
The discussions on a revised scheme for progeny testing and milk recording which my Department have prepared have been held over until I have had an opportunity to examine this problem.