22 November 2023

What will the changes to the breeding indexes achieve?

Changes to the Terminal and Replacement Indexes – breeding tools suckler farmers have learned to use since the introduction of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) in 2015 – will become apparent on November 28th.

At this week’s Teagasc National Beef Conference, Dr Paul Crosson, Beef Enterprise Leader at Teagasc Grange, took to the rostrum to provide an overview of updates to these suckler beef breeding indexes and to highlight which direction they will bring the Irish suckler herd.

Changes are occurring to reflect increased production costs and output values at farm level, Paul explained, to better align the Economic Values used within both indexes to reflect the reality on the ground. The last time these Economic Values were updated was in 2015, at the onset of BDGP, and notable market changes have occurred in the intervening period.

Additionally, carbon traits have been added to reflect “the sharp focus on the environmental footprint of food production”. The updated Economic Values will now incorporate price changes and greenhouse gas emission values much better.

Dr Paul Crosson addressing the 2023 National Beef Conference

In terms of production traits, the updates to the Terminal Index aim to reduce the costs of finishing cattle by reducing feed consumption. Furthermore, Paul explained, the updated Terminal Index is designed to breed heavier weanlings that are capable of producing heavier and more conformed carcasses, while at the same time achieving an earlier finishing age at an appropriate fat score.

Commenting on the changes to the Replacement Index, he noted that these aim to reduce the cost of keeping suckler cows by reducing feed costs, predominantly by selecting smaller cows within breed, and increasing fertility.

“We expect lower feed costs and that is a really important one. We want to reduce feed costs – that is a major challenge within our suckling systems. It is the number one cost and any breeding programme in respect of beef cattle has to seek to reduce feed costs,” Paul said.

On the inclusion of carbon within the breeding indexes, a move already completed in the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) and Dairy Beef Index (DBI), he noted that it has a relatively modest impact on the Economic Values and on the relative emphasis of traits with the Terminal and Replacement Index. However, it creates an additional focus for the index and provides a message to society in terms of the commitment of the beef sector to reduce emissions.

Also read: Changes to the Terminal and Replacement Indexes – why are they required?

Also read: Chasing cost reductions through breeding – the role of the updated Replacement Index

Also read: Controlling IBR – the first step is knowing your herd’s status