The ABP Demo Farm has revealed data on the carcass weights and confirmation of the heifers slaughtered from the farm in 2022 and 2023 grouped by their commercial beef value (CBV).
The tables group the top-third and the bottom third of CBV heifers for both traditional and continental sire breeds.
While there is no significant difference in slaughter age of the heifers, the carcass weight differences are significant.
The table below details the slaughter performance of the top and bottom third of heifers sired by traditional breed sires on the ABP Demo Farm for 2022 and 2023:
CBV Finishing age Carcass weight Conformation Top third: €135 599 days 282kg O+ Bottom third: €62 600 days 247kg O= Difference: – -1 day 34kg –
As the data indicates, the top third of traditional sire breed heifers slaughtered from the ABP Demo Farm in 2022 and 2023 had a higher CBV, carcass weight and grade.
The same trend was observed for the continental sire breed heifers.
The table below details the slaughter performance of the top and bottom third of heifers sired by continental breed sires on the ABP Demo Farm for 2022 and 2023:
CBV Finishing age Carcass weight Conformation Top third: €181 621 days 302kg R= Bottom third: €93 619 days 262kg O+ Difference: – 2 days 40kg –
It is important to highlight that the high and low CBV groups were treated the same and the rise in carcass weights can be assumed to have came from the increased genetic potential of the higher CBV animals. All heifers were bred from the dairy herd.
Commenting on the figures, ABP’s agri-sustainability manager, Stephen Connolly said there is a €210 difference in carcass value of the higher CBV traditional sire breed heifers.
This is using a base price of €5.10/kg plus the Advantage Beef Programme bonus, the Quality Payment Scheme (QPS) bonus and the breed bonuses are factored in.
For the continental sire breed heifers, there is a €251 carcass value difference between the top third and bottom third of heifers when grouped by CBV. This calculation comes following the same price assumptions.
Connolly said: “This data highlights why ABP is placing such an emphasis on promoting better genetics through its initiatives such as the Advantage Beef Programme.
“These results show the benefit of using the CBV as an assistance tool when buying either suckler or dairy-beef cattle destined for beef production.
“The CBV is a relatively new tool but is becoming more available with the rollout of the national genotyping programme which is funded by ABP as well as the wider beef-processing industry, the dairy industry, government and farmers.
“To date in Ireland, close to 40% of calves born in 2024 have been genotyped at birth.”