2015 – 2020 Beef Data Genomics Programme October/November 2015 Information Sessions.

2015 – 2020 Beef Data Genomics Programme

October/November 2015Information Sessions

Introduction• Introduced as part of new measures agreed under

RDP 2014 – 2020• Programme is for a period of six years and available

funds are €300m.• Approximately 29,770 applications received involving

circa 560,000 animals• Applicant must commit to six years. However

flexibilities will be applied. Will be discussed later

BDGPObjectives

• To lower the intensity of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by improving quality and efficiency on national beef herd

• Improve the genetic merit of the national beef herd through collection of data and genotypes of selected animals which will allow for genomic selection in the beef herd

BDGPReference Year

• Reference year is 2014• (In limited circumstances 2015 can be requested as

the reference year)• No of calved cows in 2014 will be the number of

reference animals• No of forage hectares declared on 2014 SPS will

establish eligible forage area• Payment will be made on the Maximum Payable Area

(MPA) = Number of reference cows divided by a S/D of 1.5

BDGPPayment/ Land Requirements

• €142.50 for the first 6.66 H/A’s and €120 for the remaining H/A’s.

• Must submit a valid BPS application declaring all land parcels each year

• Requirement to maintain a minimum of 80% of the reference area known as the MPA.

• Must also retain 60% of the number of reference animals each year for genotyping without repetition

Requirement 1 – Calving Details

• Tag and register all calves within 27 days of birth.• Provide sire number or A.I. Code (where bulls are

leased AIM requirements must be met)• Complete calving survey

Requirement 2 - Surveys

• Complete surveys • Calf – docility, vitality, size, quality and health traits• Calves must be kept until at least 5 months old to

record data – data not reliable if completed earlier• Cow – Milk score, docility and culling reasons• Bull – docility, functionality and culling reasons

Requirement 3 - Genotyping

• Genotype specified animals (as determined by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation)

• Send selected samples for DNA testing to the appropriate laboratories.

• Must have 60% of reference animals available each year without repetition

Requirement 4 – Replacement Strategy

• Bulls• From 30/06/2016,if renting in bulls, must use a 4 or 5

star bull • Must provide notice to DAFM of intention to lease

bulls by 30/06/16• Must have at least one designated 4 or 5 star bull on

holding from 30/06/2019 to 30/06/20• AI. From 30/06/16, at least 80% used must be from 4

or 5 stars bulls • Do not have to be pedigree

Replacement Strategy (cont)

• Heifers, can be purchased or bred by farmer• Must be 4/5 star on replacement index• Must be at least 16 months old and born in 2013 or

later, if not in the herd by the closing date of 5 June 2015

• On 31 October 2018 replacement females must equal 20% of the number of the reference animals

• On 31 October 2020 replacement females must equal 50% of the number of the reference animals

Requirement 5 – Carbon Navigator

• (Carbon Navigator) A farm management package developed by Bord/Bia and Teagasc which quantifies environmental gain that can be made by setting targets in key areas such as grazing season

• Must be completed by 31 October 2016 in conjunction with advisor

• Subsequent years ICBF will issue (survey) forms to enable carbon navigator to be updated annually

Requirement 6 – General Training• Training course to be completed by 31st October 2016 • Payment of €166 will be made to applicants on

completion of this course and will be paid directly to the applicant by the approved trainer

• Applicants will be notified of the details of the training sessions

. Training course to be completed by 31st October 2016

.Payment of €166 will be made to applicants on completion of this course

Remember…

• The application submitted in May/June 2015 was the application to participate in the Programme.

• The application for payment under this Programme is the annual BPS application.

• Ensure you adhere to the BVD requirements on an ongoing basis.

• Payment will be made on your MPA each year once commitments have been undertaken.

Flexibilities

•Withdrawals :

•Withdraw up to payment or notification of inspection.•Withdraw without recoupment if land disposed of. •If 80% of your MPA is retained you must continue with the

Programme• Withdraw on grounds of Force Majeure

What can/will Dept do• Continue to communicate with farmers - information

notes, text messages, Press releases etc.• DAFM and ICBF lo-call help-lines.• Attend events relevant such as farm walks, Ploughing• Counter service. • Website updated regularly with up to date

information.

Help us pay you

For 2015• Ensure the animals selected for genotyping are

tagged and samples returned as soon as possible. If selected animals are dead/moved request substitute samples immediately from ICBF.

• Complete and return your commitment forms as soon as possible.

2015 payments...

• Payments will commence in December for those herds who have complied fully with the Programme requirements.

• Payments will be made on a continuous basis as herds become eligible throughout the Programme

Going Forward

• For 2016 :

• Return all data and samples as soon as possible.• Complete carbon navigator• Undertake training early• This will avoid last minute rush and possible delay of

your 2016 payment

THANK YOU

Understanding €uro-Stars

The ideal suckler cow.• The ideal suckler cow must;

– Calve herself.– Calve each year.– Have enough milk to rear her calf.– Be not too big.– Have a good quality calf at foot.

• In summary, a “balanced” cow.– We all have these cows => need more!

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A balanced cow!

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The Replacement Index.Trait Goal Relative wtCalving Less 16%Feed Intake Less 18%Carcass wt (for age) More 21%Maternal milk More 18%Female fertility More 23%Docility More 4%

Emphasis:

Cow traits 71%

Calf traits 29%

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Fertility: Case Study2 x 20 Cow Suckler Herds

1. High Fertility Herd– 0.95 calves/cow/year.– 20 cows producing 19 calves.– Avg. weaning weight 350 kg.

Total weaning weight produced = 6,650 kg

2. Low Fertility Herd– 0.7 calves/cow/year.– 20 cows producing 14 calves.– Avg. weaning weight 400 kg.

Total weaning weight produced = 5,600 kg

• 1,050 kg more from High Fertility Herd.• @ €2.20 kg weanling price

= €2,310

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Estimating €uro-Stars?• How do

ICBF estimate €uro-Stars for my cows.– BDGP

reports.– Cow at

ploughing.

BDGP Reports.

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How are €uro-Stars calculated?• €uro-Star indexes are based on;

– Ancestry (sire + dam)– Animal performance, including that of

ancestors.• In future, €uro-Star indexes will also

include a prediction of performance based on the animals genotype.

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What does the €uro-Star mean?

• The “€uro” part. – The additional profit that an animal (male or

female) will deliver compared to another animal (male or female).

• The “star” part.– Animals are ranked into “20-percentiles”– For example, 5-star => top 20%, 3-

star=average, 1 star=> bottom 20%.

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Do the €uro-Stars work? Analysis of Data from Existing BDGP Herds.

• 29,502 herds in BDGP.– 104,269 suckler females that were born in

2008 and entered these herds as suckler herd replacements.

• Analysis based on; – Value of weanling progeny.– Value of animals at slaughter.

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Some “high-level” questions.

• Of the 104k females, what % were:– Home-bred?– AI bred?– Dairy-bred?– Still alive?

• Which breed combination was most popular?

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Question Answer

Home-bred 60%

AI-bred 24%

Dairy-bred 23%

Still alive 65%

Breed LM * LM

Weanling Performance; 5 star versus 1 star.

• 5 star cows had more progeny, lasted longer, had heavier weanlings (albeit at lower price/kg) and generated €28 more per weanling but €606 more profit to-date.

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Repl Stars

Repl Index

Still alive Progeny

Weaning weight kg Price/kg

Wean value

Wean Value All

5 stars €126 79% 4.57 327.7 €2.40 €786 €3,5874 stars €85 75% 4.35 314.9 €2.45 €770 €3,3533 stars €64 72% 4.23 309.0 €2.48 €768 €3,2482 stars €44 69% 4.17 307.6 €2.48 €764 €3,1881 star €8 63% 3.94 300.6 €2.52 €757 €2,980Diff 5 v 1 16% 0.63 27.1 -€0.12 €28.3 €606.4

Carcass performance.5 star cows versus 1 star cows.

• 5 star cows had highest total output, with lowest input (-40 days on age at slaughter), compared to 1 star.

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Stars Num prog Age Slau Carc wt Conf Value/prog All prog5 Stars 2.74 744.4 369.6 R+ €1,478 €4,0544 stars 2.61 763.0 366.6 R+ €1,467 €3,8283 stars 2.54 774.6 366.0 R+ €1,464 €3,7162 stars 2.50 774.6 366.0 R+ €1,464 €3,6631 star 2.36 783.3 365.2 R+ €1,461 €3,453Diff 0.38 -38.9 4.4 €17 €601

Replacement index; More output from less input.

1 2 3 4 5-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

Weaning weight Cow weight

Replacement Star Rating

Weig

ht

(kg

)

+ 30 kg at weaning

- 26 kg lighter

Replacement index; More output from less input.

There are 4/5 star cows across all of the breeds

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Based on 104k 2008 born replacement females.

What is genomics?• “By taking a tissue sample, ICBF

can assess the animals DNA and in doing so predict expected performance based on knowledge of how similar DNA (from other animals) has performed on Irish farms in the past”

• This is added to the existing €uro-Star of the animal => more accurate evaluation.

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Summary.• €uro-Star indexes are a key tool when

making breeding decisions.– AI bulls, stock bulls &/or females.

• 5 star cows => the balanced cow. – 5-star animals will leave an additional

€100/progeny compared to average animals => profitability.

– They will produce more overall output from less overall input => sustainability.

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Beef Data & Genomics Programme

Information Meetings 2015 Teagasc Beef Specialists

Overview

• Scheme Requirements

• Information Received to Date

• Meeting the Breeding Targets

• What is the next steps

Last 10 Years• Reduced Slaughter Age by One Month • Increased Carcass Weight in Bulls by 40Kg

Reference Number

No. of 4 & 5 Star animals in the Herd

Example

• No. Suckler Calf Births 2014 16

• No. Genotype Samples per Annum 10 animals (16 cows x 60%)

• Max. Payable Area required 10.66 ha. (16 cows / 1.5 cows /ha.)

• Min. Forage ha. required 8.53 ha. (10.66 ha. x 80%)

(1) Reference Cows & Payment

Max. Payment €1,430 (minus genotyping cost €220)

On Forage Area(6.66ha. X €142.50) + (4 ha. x €120) = €1429.05

On Cows(10 cows x €95) + (6 cows x €80) = €1,430

Example

• 10 Animals to be Genotyped each year (cost €220)

Which Animals will be Genotyped?

• ICBF will nominate the 10 animals /annum

What Animals for Genotyping?

In 2015 priority was given to;

• Any stock bull not yet genotyped

• 4/5 star cows not yet genotyped, especially younger cows

• 4/5 star heifers born in Spring 2015.

Some Breeds will have Higher Replacement Index Values than Others

€74 is starting value for 4 Star

• Current stock bull will qualify for 30th June 2019 Requirement• High on Terminal Index €142 (Top 1%)

• Low in Replacement Index €45 (Bottom 30%)• Young Bull 2012 born

Stock Bull will be of Limited Value to Breed Replacement 4 & 5 Star females in this herd

Bull Details

Selecting Bulls to Improve the Replacement Index

• Need to aim for a Replacement Index Value of above €74

• Quality of the bull used will depend on current female values in the herd

•Bull will contribute Half the Value to the Progeny

• €140 RI value bull will contribute €70• €30 RI value bull will contribute €15

•Example

Cow RI Value €80 X Bull RI Value €102

(50% Cow value = €40) (50% Bull Value = €51)

Progeny Replacement Value (€40 + €51) = €91

12 Animals Currently 4 & 5 Star

Current Cow & Heifer Position

Current Cow & Heifer Position2 Five star Cows Born in ’04 &’08

Issues with the Current Herd

• 12 Animals currently 4 & 5 Star in the herd

• Will be required to have at least 8 genotyped 4 & 5 star animals by 31/10/2020

• Top 2 cows only suitable with current stock bull to breed replacements

Top Cow RI Value €146

2nd Cow RI Value €114

3rd Cow RI Value €98

X Lim Bull RI Value €45

Progeny A € 95

Progeny B € 79

Progeny C € 72

Options to Breed more 4 & 5 Star animals


Consider using High Reliability High Index AI sire on top cows

• Bulls genotyped and higher reliability

• Choose from variety of breeds

• Can maintain a closed herd



If Replacing stock bull get a high replacement index genotyped bull (+€80)• Need a genotyped animal

• Replacement value may be limited if youchoose to stay with a specific breed

• Herd more vulnerable to bringing in disease



Look to source heifers from other herds (suckler or dairy cross)

• Marts will start to display heifers Indices• Have some members in your discussion got

surplus heifers• May be only real option if the current cow

base is low• Herd will be more exposed to disease

1. Fill out the survey sheets on paper or online(Payments for 2015 will issue from mid December)

Next steps???

Cow Data

Bull Data

Calf Data

2. Tag the nominated animals for genotyping and return the samples

3. Go through your Eurostar Report & discuss with your Adviser

• What is the current position in your herd? (Cows/Heifers/Stock Bull)

• How will I ensure that I meet the female targets in 2018 and 2020?

• Will I need to use AI? Is it an option for me

• Can I breed my own replacement heifers?

• Am I better off buying in Replacements?

• When I come to replace my stock Bull what should I look for?

• Will I have surplus 4 & 5 star heifers to sell on?

• What should I do with my 1 & 2 Star cows?

• Are some of my animals likely to change once they are genotyped?

There are many questions to be answered

Start Planning Now!!

Thank You

2015 – 2020 Beef Data Genomics Programme October/November 2015 Information Sessions.

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