What is Whole Herd Performance Recording?
Whole Herd Performance Recording is a new recording programme for pedigree beef farmers to ensure accurate recording of data to include in genetic evaluations. Up to now, only some animals in pedigree herds have been weighed and scored and this has led to some inaccuracies in genetic evaluations. It will ensure confidence in data when commercial farmers are purchasing pedigree animals.
Why is the ICBF introducing the scheme?
The ICBF is introducing the scheme to ensure that all data collected is of very high quality. High-quality data is extremely important when calculating genetic evaluations. The more quality data is included on pedigree animals, the more accurate the genetic evaluation will be. While the focus up to now was on scoring young bulls in herds, it is now changing to cow attributes like calving ability, fertility and ability to feed a calf. This will help farmers participating in BDGP make more informed decisions around breeding and animal selection
What are the details of the scheme?
The programme will be co-ordinated by ICBF and it is hoped that all breed societies will encourage breeder participation. Pedigree breeders will fill in extra information at insemination time, calving time and will have a visit annually from an ICBF scorer. At this visit, all animals on the farm between one and 149 days will be weighed and animals between 150 days and 700 days will be weighed and scored. An animal will only be scored once; i.e. there will be no need to re-score an already scored animal on a previous visit. All cows in the herd will be scored for functionality including the presence of evidence of previous caesareans. Cows with a calf at foot will also be weighed as part of the visit. Preferential treatment will also be recorded where some calves may be sucking foster cows.
What does it mean for pedigree farmers?
The programme will mean that a level playing field will be established for all pedigree breeders by ensuring that all data collected, such as birth dates, is true and accurate. It will mean a small extra burden of inputting information around insemination and calving time and also facilitating a visit once annually from the ICBF scorer. In return, pedigree farmers participating in the programme will be part of an elite group of herds who will have certified quality data and in turn more accurate indexes behind their breeding stock.
What are the benefits of the scheme?
For pedigree farmers:
For commercial farmers:
What will it cost breeders?
The cost to the breeder will be €45 for a call-out and €5 per animal weighed after that. The overall cost will depend on the number of animals in the herd, but the example below demonstrates what a farmer with five pedigree cows would be likely to pay on an annual basis.
