New National Genotyping Programme will unleash the power of genetics
The National Genotyping Programme is seen as one of the significant actions that can help farmers to reduce their carbon footprint through the identification of the best genetics for production, fertility as well as methane emissions.
In this article, Teagasc Dairy Specialist Stuart Childs tells us more on the programme, which opened to applications yesterday, June 21st.
The programme will facilitate DNA verified registration of calves through tissue sampling when tagging calves at birth. This initiative will see some 800,000 breeding animals (both dairy and beef) genotyped before the end of 2023, thus allowing large scale DNA registration to commence in 2024.
Key benefits of the DNA registration will be parentage and sex verification. It will be of great benefit to farmers from an admin point of view, as it will eliminate paperwork required to correct registration errors that can occur during the extremely busy spring period.
Further benefits will include higher reliability data, thus allowing the truly best animals (verified rather than assumed) to be used as the source of the next generation of replacements. The potential to identify the best and worst performers in the herd for milk production, fertility, health and carbon will play a significant role in driving the industry forward and will be of great benefit to farmers who will be able to put their best team on the pitch by virtue of all this information.
Whole herd genotyping, through a new technology called Genocells®, will also allow for the identification of source cows of high somatic cell count (SCC) in a single bulk milk sample. One of the key steps in dealing with SCC issues on farm according to Teagasc Milk Quality Specialist, Don Crowley is to ‘know your enemy’.
This new technology will make this a very simple process for all involved, as it can be done from a single sample taken directly from the bulk tank. This is only one of many benefits that will become available as a result of the National Genotyping Programme. The possibilities are endless. This is a great opportunity for farmers to avail of free genotyping for their herd, but will be on a first come first serve basis in 2023. For more information on the scheme, visit the ICBF website or tune into our podcast on the programme below: