(AGENPARL) - Roma, 26 Agosto 2026 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL AFFAIRS

26 August 2026

Bovine Genetics Genotyping Scheme will open on 1 September

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).