Better Genetics, Better Weanlings, Better Returns

National Cattle Breeding Centre Beef Programme Manager, Rose Goulding, joins the Beef Edge to explain how important the right genetics are when selling weanlings. Plus she previews the upcoming Teagasc Mart events taking place across the country.

Genetics can have a major influence on the performance and profitability of a beef herd and Rose outlines the key traits farmers should be focusing on when selecting bulls or replacement females.

She highlights the individual traits that farmers need to focus on such as milk and carcass confirmation in details within the terminal and replacement indexes.

While the genomic evaluations are now widely used, the additional information of the myostatin gene can be utilised on farm and Rose discusses selecting sires to breed weanlings on plainer type cows that are non carriers of the gene or vice versa.

Using a synchronisation programme is a great way to use AI on sucker farmers and the 0-7-10 programme for heifers greatly helps when working off farm and reduces heat detection aids. For more, see page 62 of the Suckler-Catalogue-2025.pdf.

Teagasc will host a series of Beef Mart Events at marts across the country this autumn, providing practical advice to help farmers breed high-quality weanlings and maximise animal performance over the winter.

The events will feature live demonstrations of AI-sired weanlings, alongside advice from Teagasc advisors and specialists, AI breeding companies, nutritionists and veterinary practitioners.

Further information is available at:

Events - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

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