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Beef and dairy farmers in the Newry area who are part of the recently launched Bovine Genetics Programme (BGP) can now take advantage of a free drop-off service, making it more convenient to submit genotyping samples from their breeding livestock.
The scheme is operated by Sustainable Ruminant Genetics (SRG), in conjunction with Veterinary Surgeon Supply Co. Ltd (VSSCo), local vet practices and tag suppliers.
Local drop-off points are located at:
- Newry Veterinary Centre
- Joseph Walls in Hilltown
- Joseph Walls in Rathriland
- Fane Valley in Altnamachin
There's more than 40 similar points throughout the north.
Once cattle have been tagged and DNA samples collected, farmers simply place the pink sample vials into the pre-addressed pink envelope supplied with their tags and return them through the designated drop-off location. Samples are then collected by VSSCo and delivered directly to the SRG Genotyping Laboratory for processing.
Victor Chestnutt, Chair of SRG, said the Bovine Genetics Project was about giving farmers access to better information to support breeding decisions and long-term herd improvement, and that for this to happen, participation needed to be as straightforward as possible. He said: "By working with veterinary practices, retail partners and VSSCo, we have created a network of collection points that ensures farmers across Northern Ireland can engage with the project and begin building a clearer picture of the genetic potential within their herds."
Martin Millar, a farmer and BGP advocate, said it was important that participation in the project was as simple and convenient as possible. He said: "Having a local drop-off point makes the process easy. Once samples are collected, it's simply a case of dropping them off during a visit or while passing their local practice or store."
Aoife O'Farrell of Garvagh Vets said genotyping represented the future for farming, and that SRG was leading the way in the roll out of the project. She said: "By giving farmers access to valuable information about their herds, its potential for breeding, productivity and profitability is enormous." She added that veterinary practices worked closely with livestock farmers every day, so the practice was pleased to support the scheme by acting as a sample collection point, and called for more farmers to register and get involved.
Paul Nugent of Fane Valley Stores said the company was pleased to support the initiative, adding that by making sample collections more accessible through its store network, farmers could participate confidently in the project and contribute to stronger herd performance, improved efficiency and a more sustainable future for the livestock sector.
William Sherrard, Managing Director of VSSCo, said the company's Board of Directors were pleased to facilitate and streamline the process by transporting samples from the designated farmer drop-off points to the lab in Belfast. He said SRG offered livestock farmers a unique opportunity to review the genetic potential of their herd, accelerate genetic progress and improve farm profitability.
Farmers are asked to only place DNA samples in the designated SRG envelopes, with BVD samples not to be included. Further information on collection points is available at www.srgni.com/sample-drop-off, or by contacting SRG on 028 2046 2280 or by email at query@srgni.com.
The Bovine Genetics Project aims to support more informed breeding decisions by providing farmers with access to genomic information, herd performance data and benchmarking tools through the SRG User Portal.
