ICBF Delays Genetic Evaluation to 2025 for Significant Upgrades
The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) has confirmed that the next genetic evaluation will be published in September 2025, postponed from the original July schedule. The delay allows for substantial upgrades in both beef and dairy evaluations to align with international best practices and enhance genetic indexes. These changes require extensive testing and collaboration with industry stakeholders.
ICBF typically conducts six evaluations annually, and the forthcoming upd ate will modify several key factors in the beef and dairy assessments. For beef, economic values related to the Terminal and Replacement Indexes will be adjusted to better mirror current market conditions, including changes to carcass price, labour, and land market value. A new, more robust method to integrate international genetic data is also se t to be introduced. Additionally, weight data from sustainability programs like the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) will be incorporated, enhancing accuracy.
In dairy evaluations, Economic Values in the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) will reflect recent changes in costs and production systems. The updates will adjust trait values for milk, price, labour, and feed, and introduce improvements in health and management evaluations targeting traits such as mastitis and lameness resistance.
A shift in the base year from cows born in 2005 to those born in 2015 will align genetic evaluations more closely with contemporary herds. The ICBF noted that while some changes in herd figures are expected with the new evaluations, this reflects improvements to ensure indexes accurately represent current genetics, economic conditions, and farm performance.
Current proofs remain valid for breeding and selection decisions until the updated evaluations are released. The federation reassures farmers that these enhancements are essential for providing accurate, relevant evaluations aligned with real-world conditions, promising long-term gains despite short-term shifts.
The ICBF further expressed gratitude to farmers for their patience and trust in the ongoing improvements aimed at the long-term benefit of Irish cattle breeding.
