Angus Woods: Ignore the moaners – BDGP has improved the suckler herd
Ireland’s cattle are improving in the key economic areas they were weak in 10 years ago
Angus Woods puts a pre-calfing mineral on silage for his Aubrac cows on his farm in Ballynabarny, Co Wicklow. Photo: Damien Eagers
Ten years ago, the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP), with its requirement to use the star rating system, was launched amid highly emotive scenes.
Then Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney faced angry pedigree breeders and farmers in packed marts in the west of Ireland. There was a lot of concern about the future quality of cows in our national suckler herd.
