Bovine Genetics Project (BGP) - Sustainable Ruminant Genetics NI

The Programme

The Northern Ireland Bovine Genetics Project (BGP) is one of several new schemes and measures launched under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Sustainable Agriculture Programme. The BGP will drive genetic improvement in cattle, delivering long-term and permanent changes to desirable traits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower pollution potential and improved animal health and welfare (including the ability to identify those breeding animals most resistant to Bovine Tuberculosis). The BGP will provide cattle breeders with the data and evidence necessary to breed more efficient, healthier and more productive animals.

SRG will be working with ICBF, AHDB, Meat processors, Dairy processors, Marts and NIFAIS to use historic and current data to develop beneficial reports and profiles for dairy, suckler and drystock herds in NI. All herds participating in BGP will have access to record further information on their herd to improve the accuracy of the information presented.

The Partners

DAERA is funding the BGP and will be working in partnership with Sustainable Ruminant Genetics (SRG) to provide strategic direction for the programme.
SRG is a not-for-profit Company established by the agri-food industry in Northern Ireland. SRG have been tasked with assisting DAERA in the delivery of several key functions, including the supply of industry data and the promotion and marketing of the project to producers and other stakeholders to maximise uptake and benefits for participating herds through ongoing development of resources, knowledge transfer and provision of advice.
The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) was established in 1998 as a non-profit organisation charged with providing cattle breeding information services to the dairy and beef industries. In January 2025, DAERA awarded a contract to ICBF to act as the service provider for the Northern Ireland BGP. As such, ICBF will collate data, produce reports, build and manage a database of genetic and genomic information and run genomic evaluations.

When will it commence?

The ability to sign up to the project and access the first Benchmark reports and profiles for your herd, will be available February 2026. Sign-up will be through the www.srgni.com website.

CAFRE is developing a suite of Knowledge and Innovation Programmes to ensure farmers have the required knowledge and understanding of data required to effectively use the available benchmarking and genetic evaluation services to make more informed future breeding decisions.