Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
520. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the precise costs involved for individual farmers in terms of genotype testing for suckler farmers who wish to partake in the beef genomics scheme for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6852/14]
View answerUnder the Beef Genomics Scheme (BGS) in 2014 participating farmers will have to sample at least 15% of their herd (all stock bulls and selected cows) nominated by the Irish Cattle breeding Federation (ICBF). Under the scheme farmers will receive €40 per calf for each calf born in the herd in 2014, subject to an overall scheme limit. The cost of the genotyping test is approximately €30 for each cow/bull selected for sampling. The final figure will be confirmed in the scheme’s terms and conditions posted out to eligible farmers with the application forms over the coming weeks.
This test cost includes the cost of the tag, the posting of the tags to the laboratory, the genotyping of the sample itself and the recording of the results to the ICBF’s cattle breeding database. It will also include the cost of the genotyping results being made available to farmer for on-farm use.
Farmers can use this information predicting the genetic merit of their stock to inform their breeding and selection decisions as the genotyping provides them with information on a range of performance traits. As DNA is present in all individuals since birth, genomic selection facilitates a more accurate prediction of genetic merit even when the animal is still a calf. Improved knowledge on the genetic merit of an animal should facilitate more informed on-farm selection decisions with the eventual outcome of increased genetic gain for a range of performance traits and therefore higher quality beef animals leading to greater farm profitability.
