Cattle Breeding in Ireland. Dr Andrew Cromie, Technical Director ICBF.

Irish Cattle Breeding. Co-ordinated by Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF). A co-operative of 30 cattle breeding organisations (AI, Herdbooks & Milk Recording organisations) & 2 Farm Organisations. Established the ICBF central database in 2002. Now the cornerstone of the Irish cattle industry. Focused on “profit from science”. High level of farmer trust - independent genetic evaluations are key. World-leading (research => implementation). 2nd in world to launch dairy genomics, after US. Beef Genomics => largest livestock genomics project globally.

MEMBERS, BOARD & SHARES - ICBF AI - 3 HB - 3 MR - 3 FO - 6 DAFF - 1 Board AI -18% MR - 18% HB - 18% FO - 46% Shares ICBF set up in 1998 xxxx ICBF’s members and owners are four groups of organisations: the artificial insemination co-operatives, the organisations providing milk recording services, the Herd Books, and the the Farm Organisations representing farmer interests. Xxxxx The Board of 16 includes one from DAFF, 3 from each of the AI, MR and HB groups and 6 from Farmer Organisations. Xxxx The shares are held in three groups of 18%, (AI, MR and HB) and 46% by the Farm Organisations. The stakeholders in cattle breeding control the decisions made by ICBF. Stakeholders in cattle breeding control decision making.

Genetic Evaluation System Insems & Genetic Evaluations AI Companies Insems & Genetic Evaluations Milk Recording Dairy & Beef Farmers Milk Production & Management Rpts Herd Books Ped. Certs & Linears DAFF - AIM Calf reg & movement

Genetic Evaluation System Insems & Genetic Evaluations AI Companies Less paper, more profit! Insems & Genetic Evaluations Milk Recording ICBF Database Milk Production & Management Rpts Herd Books Dairy & Beef Farmers Ped. Certs & Linears Animal Events DAFF - AIM Calf Reg & Movements Calf reg & movement

ICBF Database 30m animals with 100m+ records. 1m AI recs/yr Genetic Evaluation System AI Companies Teagasc Research 30m animals with 100m+ records. Knowledge Insems & Genetic Evaluations 700k MR recs/yr Data Schemes, e.g., BVD, BGDP, Origin Green Milk Recording ICBF Database Milk Production & Management Rpts Data for services 2.3 m birth recs/yr Herd Books Ped. Certs & Linears 100k farmers are now serviced from the database. Dairy & Beef Farmers Animal Events DAFF - AIM Calf reg & movements 2.3m BVD recs/yr 1.6 m carcass recs/yr Carcass data Health & disease data Slaughter Factories Vets & vet labs. Weight & price Genotypes Marts & auctioneers Bulk Tank Reports Genotypes & gen labs. 7.0 m movement records/yr Milk Co-ops Teagasc & ACA Advisors 500k genotype recs/yr

Typical Irish dairy farm; 80 cows, calving from mid-Feb (in line with grass growth in Spring) and ending lactation by mid-December.

Where we started; Irish dairy herd 2000

Evolution of the EBI (2000–2016) The ideal Irish dairy cow; High milk solids (500 kg MS/cow/year) & excellent fertility (CI = 365 days).

Genetics Works; Example EBI 2016. Next Gen Herd 2009. Establish Genomics; Rate of gain doubled 2005. Establish G€N€ IR€ 2002. Establish ICBF & EBI EBI has delivered ~€587 additional profit to industry since 2002. With current rate of gain expect to double (€1.15bn) by 2020.

Impact; Teagasc Next Generation Herd. The ideal Irish dairy cow; High milk solids (500 kg MS/cow/year) & excellent fertility (CI = 365 days). The Top 1% cows in Next Gen Herd will achieve this.

Impact; ICBF Active Bull List (Top 75 available AI bulls ranked on EBI). 10 years ago, all of the highest EBI bulls in Ireland were imported, now they are all Irish bred.

Genetic Trends within Irish Suckler Beef Industry. Within our Suckler Beef Industry, there has been a past heavy focus on terminal traits. No gain in key maternal traits.

€uro-Star Replacement Index. Trait Goal Relative wt Calving Less 16% Feed Intake 18% Carcass wt (for age) More 21% Maternal milk Female fertility 23% Docility 4% The ideal Irish beef cow; A weaned calf every year of good weight & quality.

All Suckler Cows

The Irish Beef Genomics Scheme. Focused on breeding more profitable, sustainable and carbon efficient cows. Funded from EU Rural Development Program. €300m total funding 6 years (2015-2020) Farmers paid ~€90/cow/year to complete key actions re: the scheme. ~500k animals genotyped to-date. ~2.5m animals in total will be genotyped during period of scheme. Cost of genomic service is €22/animal. Building Ireland toward DNA based calf registration (& increased genetic gain).

Summary. Genetics works. Agriculture is undergoing a DNA technology revolution. Ireland is at the front edge of that revolution. Strong partnership between ICBF, DAFM, Teagasc, cattle industry & farmers is allowing this happen. Opportunities to grow the use of the Genomics (and related services) in the future, nationally and internationally