The latest data for calf registrations from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) shows that the number of calves registered to dairy dams to date this year has fallen by 102,301.
The data from ICBF applies to calves that were registered before February 23, 2024, and shows that some 502,664 calves have been registered on Irish farms for the year to date.
Compared to the same period in 2023, overall calf registrations are down 120,372 head – at this stage in 2023, some 623,036 head had been registered on Irish farms.
Dairy
For the week ending February 23, 2024, a total of 112,836 calves were registered, which is down on the same time period in 2023.
62,710 less calves were registered based on the data, with 175,546 registrations having taken place this time last year.
Looking at the calves registered to dairy dams, this figure is down 57,175 head when compared to 2023.
Some 101,916 were registered in the week ending February 23, 2024, whereas in 2023 this figure was 159,091.
Overall, dairy registrations are also down, with 102,301 less calves being registered to dairy dams in the year-to-date.
In 2024, some 440,519 calves have been registered to dairy dams, but this figure is down from 542,820 in 2023.
This also means that this time last year, more calves had been registered to dairy dams than have been born so far this year.
Beef
Moving to the data for calves registered to beef dams, a total of 10,920 were registered in the week ending February 23, 2024.
This is down 5,535 head on the same period in 2023, when 16,455 calves had been registered to beef dams.
For the year-to-date, the total number of calves registered to beef dams stands at 62,145 head, which is also down on the figure for the same period in 2023.
There has been a reduction in the number of calves registered to beef dams by 18,071, in 2024 the total number of calves registered to this period of the year was 80,216 head.
Calf registrations
Issues with registering calves have been highlighted already this year, with many having issues with passports being returned from the National Genotyping Programme (NGP).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 20, ICBF said that over 127,000 passports have been issued to date under the programme, which is now in its eighth week.
The average turnaround time from birth to passport being issued was 13.1 days, it said.
To help ease the delays with the issuing of passports for calves, ICBF has introduced a number of measures.
For samples that spend 10 days in the lab, it will automatically issue a passport for the calf.
In the event that a sample is identified as unsuitable or empty, ICBF said that a passport will be issued automatically
The farmer will be required to follow up with their tag company to order a new DNA button tag to resample the calf for its genomic evaluation.
ICBF also noted that some farmers have expressed concerns around receiving passports on different days, despite sending all samples together.
“While this is a normal occurrence, we are endeavouring to reduce the incidence. Please rest assured that samples are being processed as quickly and efficiently as possible,” it said.