Listen: AgriFocus - Euro-Star ratings with ICBF CEO, Sean Coughlan
In this episode of the AgriFocus podcast, Agriland's Breifne O'Brien speaks to Sean Coughlan, CEO of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) about the decision by a number of Irish cattle breed societies to vote 'no confidence' in the revised Euro-Star evaluations.
The Euro-Star Index is a breeding index that is designed with the aim of aiding beef farmers in the selection of more profitable breeding animals.
Over the past two months, several of the Irish cattle breed societies have issued statements outlining that they are to cease publishing ICBF evaluations in their society sales catalogues.
The ICBF CEO confirmed that the economic values of the indices will be updated this summer and also confirmed that Teagasc's Dr. Paul Crosson is currently working on these updates.
Coughlan also discussed farmer issues relating to the star ratings of cows as well as the weightings of each trait in the composition of the overall figures.
The fortnightly AgriFocus podcast series takes a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.
