Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Ireland genotyping all calves

Ireland’s beef and dairy farmers have had more than 350,000 calves genotyped in the last 10 weeks as part of a program that aims to have a genetic passport for every animal in the country.

It’s the National Genotyping Programme that is a joint effort of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation and the government.


The program will eliminate cheating on pedigrees and will provide farmers with more information to plan matings.


In the past the Canadian beef industry has had some sensational cheating on pedigrees, including a prize-winning Angus bull who, when he was taken outside in the rain for a picture, shed black dye to reveal white fur underneath.


Thousands of offspring of Perfection were kicked out of the Canadian polled Hereford registry because his parentage came into question.