Requirement 4 of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) deals with the replacement strategy.

There are two targets to meet (in 2018 and 2020) which are calculated on the reference number sanctioned by the Department on joining the scheme. In other words, the reference number is the number of cows that payment is based on each year for the duration of the scheme.

For most farmers, this is the number of cows that calved in 2014, while for a small number the reference number has been calculated on other parameters (e.g. force majeure, new entrants, young farmers or appeal).

2018 target

The first milestone is for farmers to have 20% of their reference number of animals genotyped as four- or five-star on the replacement index, on an across-breed basis, by 31 October 2018.

2020 target

The second target farmers must achieve is having 50% of their reference number genotyped four- or five-star by 31 October 2010.

The breeding targets in 2018 and 2020 can be met by a combination of maiden heifers, in-calf heifers or cows, with a female deemed as eligible for contributing to the target figure if she meets the following requirements:

  • At least 16 months of age
  • Genotyped four- or five-star on the replacement index (on a within breed or across breed basis), at the time of purchase for heifers brought into the herd, or at the time of genotyping for replacements bred within the herd. Where a non-genotyped replacement heifer/cow is purchased, the animal must be genotyped subsequently and confirmed as four- or five-star on the replacement index before they are eligible to be taken into account for calculations in the programme.
  • Born in 2013 or later if introduced into the herd after 5 June 2015, ie the 2013 age rule is not applicable to cows purchased prior to 5 June 2015.

    • The table below details the requirements for different herd sizes along with the number of animals to be genotyped each year to meet the 60% genotyping requirement.

    Read more

    Tullamore demo 2: Breeding four- and five-star animals – the genetics

    Tullamore demo 3: Purchasing replacements – what to look out for

    Information sheets from all Tullamore show demonstrations