Bovine Genetics Genotyping Scheme will open on 1 September
Date published:
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has urged all dairy and suckler beef farmers across Northern Ireland to opt in to the Bovine Genetics Genotyping Scheme.
The scheme, which opens on 1 September 2026, initially provides financial support to livestock farmers to genotype their current breeding animals including future replacements. Furthermore, from January 2027, all calves born and registered on NIFAIS during the 2027 calendar year will have the opportunity to be genotyped.
“This world-leading scheme will support a more resilient, efficient and environmentally sustainable bovine livestock sector, and will enable herd owners to improve the accuracy of breeding decisions by identifying traits, such as feed efficiency and health-related characteristics, at an earlier stage.” Minister Muir said.
“I would encourage all eligible farm businesses to avail of this opportunity to receive financial support to genotype their animals,” he added.
The Bovine Genetics Genotyping Scheme is a key component of the Bovine Genetics Project (BGP), which forms part of the DAERA Sustainable Agriculture Programme. The BGP is being delivered by DAERA in partnership with Sustainable Ruminant Genetics (SRG).
Genotyping is a laboratory process which analyses an animal’s DNA via an ear tissue sample, collected using an ear tag in a similar way to the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) Eradication Programme.
Farm Businesses will receive a payment of £13 per eligible genotype submitted through the scheme. Eligible farm businesses must opt in to the Genotyping Scheme to receive payment and can do so via the BGP User Portal on the SRG website. Herd owners can also access details of animal eligibility for the scheme on the User Portal.
Full guidance, including key dates, eligibility criteria and how to videos, is available through CAFRE training from 1 September. This training will be available through online or in person delivery, visit the CAFRE website for further details.
For further information on the Bovine Genetics Project and Genotyping Scheme contact SRG on telephone: 028 2046 2280 or contact any DAERA approved tag supplier.
Notes to editors:
- The Bovine Genetics Project is one of the measures being progressed through the DAERA Sustainable Agriculture Programme.
- The Bovine Genetics Project is a £60m project, delivered in partnership with industry through Sustainable Ruminant Genetics, which is focused on delivering more accessible genetic information to farmers which will enable them to make more informed long‑term breeding decisions.
- The Bovine Genetics Genotyping Scheme is a key component of the Bovine Genetics Project. The available budget for the scheme is £16.6m, which is based on all eligible animals being genotyped.
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