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

IFA National Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan has urged suckler farmers to join the National Genotyping Programme to simplify compliance with the SCEP requirements. He said farmers who join the scheme will be completing their genotyping requirements at the time of tagging calves which is the most labour efficient way of carrying out this action and avoiding issues waiting for genotyping tags later in the year and having to separate specific animals for this.  

Farmers in the National Genotyping Programme will receive double tissue tags, one for BVD and one for Genomic tags when ordering identification tags next year.  

Mr. Hanrahan said 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. 

According to Declan Hanrahan, in addition to simplifying the genotyping aspect of the programme, the issue of parentage identification for suckler farmers who have run more than one bull with their cows will be resolved.  

The National Genotyping Programme will identify the correct sire at the time of registration resolving the issues encountered by farmers running more than one bull when completing the required information for SCEP.  

Farmers in the programme will receive a star rating for their animals at the time of registration and will also have a Commercial Beef Value which will be displayed for their calves when they are being sold.  

The programme is open until Tuesday, August 27th and suckler farmers are encouraged to take the opportunity to join directly with the ICBF or through their agricultural advisor.