The ICBF carried out a new evaluation run of its database on Tuesday 26 May. For farmers who returned Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) tissue samples early, it may provide more clarity around how they are positioned to comply with the requirement of having 50% of their reference number of females genotyped as four- or five-star on the replacement index on 31 October 2020.

For animals to be considered eligible on this date they must satisfy one of three criteria.

  • Rated as four or five stars on the replacement index (on a within-breed or on a cross-breed basis) at the time of genotyping (for those replacements bred within the herd). Where a non-genotyped replacement heifer is purchased, this animal must be subsequently genotyped and confirmed four or five stars on the replacement index before being eligible to be counted in the calculation;
  • At least 16 months old; and
  • Born in 2013 or later for animals introduced into the herd after 5 June 2015. The 2013 age rule is not applicable to cows purchased prior to 5 June 2015.
  • Farmers selling or purchasing animals should review their current herd status to ensure that these targets will be met. For farmers who returned BDGP tissue samples later, the next evaluation run is taking place on 21 July 2020. Farmers can also request to genotype animals which have not yet been genotyped. A sampling kit can be requested from the ICBF.

    View details

    To view the latest €uro-Star information, farmers can enter the tag number of animals present in BDGP herds and those participating in Herdplus in the animal search function on the ICBF website. If a genomic evaluation is included in the evaluation, it will be stated in the green bar under the animal details.

    Alternatively farmers can login to their ICBF portal. From here select the tab reports followed by all reports and this will bring you in to a section where you can run up-to-date reports for your herd and assess eligibility reports.

    It is also worthwhile noting that BDGP scheme invoices can be accessed here and printed off for inclusion with farm costs for tax returns.