Genotyping the herd could deliver net benefit of €650m

Genotyping the national herd could deliver a net benefit of €650m, with potential for further economic benefits, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) has said in its Beef Sustainability Report. A cost-benefit analysis undertaken on behalf of the ICBF suggests a return on investment of 4.8:1, based on accurate information on the rate of genetic gain and higher value animals, it said.

The cost of genotyping is around €15/head currently, with farmers already paying €5 for tags and postage. This, the report states, leaves up to €10 required to deliver full DNA calf registration and MII said this equates to €170m over 10 years.

“Genotyping all animals at birth is critical in providing the surety needed in terms of genetic merit for climate and the environment and ensuring these factors are front and centre of breeding strategies,” it said in its report.

Genotyping all animals at birth is critical in providing the surety needed in terms of genetic merit for climate and the environment

Genotyping is one of 11 actions that MII has outlined in its Beef Sustainability Report, which is aimed at slashing emissions from the beef processing sector.

A new beef sustainability charter for meat factories, a roadmap to encourage the earlier finishing of cattle and the genomic evaluations for methane traits, are among 11 actions.

MII’s Beef Sustainability Report expects the roadmap on earlier finishing to be in place by June of this year and will sign on its beef sustainability charter by the first quarter of 2023. The charter is to “shape the direction and focus of individual [meat factory] members’ sustainability programmes.”