It was agreed at the November 2015 Council meeting and announced in the winter newsletter that all calves entering the Herdbook from January 2017 would have to be tested for sire verification and myostatin status, provided the tests could be undertaken at an acceptable cost. This was reviewed at the March 2016 Council meeting and it was agreed that this initiative would not go ahead at present until all the options and cost benefits had been fully investigated. Council believes that there are significant potential benefits to be gained from DNA testing and have since formed a technical working group to review the options available. 

On receipt of the DNA working group’s recommendations, Council will consider whether enhanced DNA testing, above the present requirements, would provide tangible benefits and how this could be implemented at an acceptable cost. This decision will be subject to review as necessary going forward. Council would like to thank members for the feedback received and will continue to keep members informed of progress on this topic.