Suckler Farmers in SCEP Should Seriously Consider Joining National Genotyping Programme – IFA

IFA National Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan said suckler farmers in SCEP should seriously consider joining the National Genotyping Programme (NGP) to simplify compliance with the SCEP requirements.

Declan Hanrahan said suckler farmers who join the National Genotyping Programme will be completing their Genotyping requirements in SCEP at the time of tagging their calves which is the most labour efficient time to carry out this action and avoids the issues with waiting for genotype tags later in the year and having to gather specific animals for this task.

Farmers in the National Genotype Programme will be provided with double tissue tags, one for BVD testing and one for the Genomic testing when ordering their identification tags for next year.

He said the 70% of calves will be paid for in the normal way through SCEP with the additional 30% of calves on the farm incurring the reduced total charge of €6/calf for the programme, all current non-genotyped breeding animals in the herd will be genotyped free of charge when farmers enter the programme.

Declan Hanrahan said in addition to simplifying the genotyping aspect of SCEP the National Genotyping Programme also resolves the parentage identification issue for suckler farmers who are running more than one bull with their cows.

The National Genotype Programme will identify the correct sire of calves at the time of registration resolving the issues farmers who run more than one bull have encountered in completing the required information for SCEP.

Farmers in the programme will receive star ratings for their animals at the time of registration and will also have a Commercial Beef Value (CBV) for these calves displayed at sale time.

He said the programme is open until Tuesday, 27th August and suckler farmers should take advantage of the opportunity to join the scheme directly with ICBF or through their ag advisor.