BDGP Training Course
Introduction
Participants in the Beef Data and Genomics programme will be required to attend an approved training course which will provide clear information with regard to the requirements at individual farm level. The course will equip farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to optimise delivery of the commitments undertaken under the Programme. The course will also increase the participants’ knowledge of genomics and breeding selection, focussing on the shifting emphasis to maternal traits in order to bring about efficiencies that will result in reduced green house gas emissions.
All participants will be required to attend this training course by 31 October. The cost of training will be covered separately under the Rural Development Programme and farmers will receive €166 to cover their costs of participation.
Following an open competitive tender process run by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine the general BDGP training contract was awarded to Teagasc. Courses will be rolled out across the country and all BDGP participants will be invited to attend.
Course Content
The course will be four hours long and having attended participants will have a better understanding of:
-the different requirements within this programme to enable participants to maximise annual payment over the coming five years.
-how €urostar indexes for bulls, cows and heifers are produced and how they can be used to improve the performance of your suckler herd.
-genomics and the reasons why it will improve the accuracies of the €urostar indexes in your herd.
-what your options are for sourcing the replacement females that you will need for your herd over the coming years to meet the programme requirements. and
-how you can meet your bull requirement and options available to you.
Course Outline
Topic Covered / Delivery MethodIntroduction
Background to the Programme
Highlight breeding & Environmental benefits
Outline 6 Requirements
Animal Events Recording
Accurate Data Recording / Powerpoint Presentations
Animals Events sheets
Agfood & ICBF on line
Pocket Recording Book
€uro Star - Understanding the Index
Value of Genetic Gain
Index Terms Explained
Replacement v Terminal Index
Sub Index Traits
Reliabilities
Impact of Genomics
Using Herdplus and Using Reports / Powerpoint Presentation
4/5 Examples of Bulls
Discussion on what different
Systems require (Traits)
Replacement Strategy
Bull Requirement
Replacement or Terminal
Stock bull v AI
Matching a bull to your system
Sourcing a new stock bull
Female Requirement
What is your BDGP Report showing
Getting 4&5 Star replacements
AI Bred
Stockbull Bred
Buying In
Options for Your herd / Powerpoint
Sample bull Indices
AI catalogues
4 Case study examples
Video Clips
Farmer Worksheets
Open Discussion around case studies
Close/ Questions
Course Material
At the start of each course participants will be provided with their ICBF Herd Report and a comprehensive BDGP Information Manual. In addition training DVDs will be made available on Teagasc’s website for all BDGP participants.
The training tutor will deliver the training in groups limited to 30 in number so that farmers can raise issues of concern to them during the delivery of the courseIn addition there will be opportunities to raise questions both during the information session and at the end in a one to one environment with trained experts.
Process for Inviting Participants
All BDGP participants will be invited to the training centre that is located closest to them before 30th September 2016. If the participant cannot attend the first course then a second invitation will be issued for that location.
Invited participants will have to respond to the invitation by ringing a designated phone number to confirm their attendance. Having confirmed this they will receive a confirmation text. If someone cannot attend the first two training courses they will be invited to one more training course to be delivered before 31st October 2016. It may be that the third training course may not be as close to their location as the first course they are invited to.
These conditions will be explained in the invitation that will issue to all scheme participants.
Following the initial rollout of courses Teagasc will provide a limited number of evening and week end meetings in more central locations. Details will be provided on the dates and locations of these courses in due course.
It would be preferable if participants attend the first course that they are invited to as subsequent courses may be held at a less convenient location. It is important the participants respond to the invitation when received and notify Teagasc of their attendance using the notification system set out in the invitation.
Nominees
In the event that the BDGP participant cannot attend it will be possible to nominate somebody to attend on their behalf as set out below:
-One of the registered herdowners where the herd number is in more than one name or,
-A family member (spouse, parent, brother, sister, son, daughter, grandchild or favoured nephew or niece) who is actively involved in the management of the Suckler Herd.
-A person who has an active role in the daily management of the Suckler Herd on behalf of the herdowner (e.g. a farm manager)
The nominee will be required to bring proof of identity and the nominee will have to specify their relationship with the herdowner.
It would be preferable if participants attend the first course that they are invited to as subsequent courses may be held at a less convenient location. It is important the participants respond to the invitation when received and notify Teagasc of their attendance using the notification system set out in the invitation.
Useful Contact Details
Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine:
Phone Number –076 1064423.
Email Address –
Teagasc:
Phone Number – 059 9170200.
ICBF:
Phone Number – 023 88 20222
Email Address –