The Beef Data and Genomics Program (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental and Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) were introduced with the objective of using genetics/genomics to address the decline in key maternal traits within the national suckler herd.  Andrew Cromie, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation Technical Director joins Catherine Egan to discuss how BDGP and BEEP improve the profitability and carbon efficiency of our livestock sector.

Andrew discusses results and analysis of the first females that calved into BDGP herds showed that on average, 5 star females calved 59 days earlier than 1 star females and had a 13.6 days shorter average calving interval.  

In terms of progeny carcass performance, age at slaughter and profitability results demonstrate the effectiveness of the initial €uro-Star genomic predictions as a means to accurately identify more profitable and sustainable suckler herd replacements.

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The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.