National Genotyping Programme - ICBF

whelan2

Mullinahone are very busy don't you know. They are supposed to notify icbf of any supplementary tag orders but they were too busy to do this. All other tag companies could do this but not Mullinahone

Lime Tree Farm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121740566#Comment_121740566

The ones you sent by registered mail, did you specify contents and their the tag numbers with the post office - Or give them the count of samples in the envelope.

whelan2

I wrote my herd number and number of samples on the envelope. Didnt say anything in post office, they knew it was samples though. Going to risk a batch through normal post tomorrow

Silverdream

Got the 4 button tags today, not bad only a 4 week turnaround by them!! Now to see how long to get the Genotyping done. I might have the Cards for them calves by St. Patrick's day at the way its going!

mahoney_j

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121740350#Comment_121740350

Switched to Cormac 4 years ago due to loosing too many tags …that doesn’t look like it improved ….nor customer service

endainoz

Honestly have never had any issue with them up to now anyway.

whelan2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121741591#Comment_121741591

I was the same until this year. Even icbf couldn't get in contact with them as they were busy. January is their busiest month, so why not bring in more staff for January? This crack of tags coming from France is ridiculous and the lack of envelopes to send the samples in so early into the scheme was total incompetence.

Diarmuid B

I worked in the lab during the BDGP scheme when thousands of tags were coming in daily. I would imagine it’s the same setup for this scheme too. Post opened every day and tags for each day are piled into containers per the date they came in and then the lab just works through them in order. If your bunch of tags get dumped into a container with a couple of thousand other ones you’ll not get the results all at the same time naturally enough. That lab would have a considerable number of samples coming in weekly from overseas contracts running at the same time so they’re probably limited with the workforce to assign to it.

This is going similar to the NBWS scheme - good idea in theory but desperate planning and organisation put in. Not enough laboratories in the country that specialise in these samples and equipment to cope with the volume of samples coming in such short periods.

ginger22

This genomic scheme is some mess. They have now started putting up a few of the second batch of samples I sent but still have only half the first batch done.

whelan2

We are up to date niw, apart from 1. She is genotyped on the system but not registered or blue card issued for some reason, born mid January. Another email to then tomorrow.

Thekeencyclist

Quick Q for those who have already registered calves in this scheme...

1 - Can the samples be sent to the genotyping lab using a normal brown envelope? (I only received one plastic envelope with my batch of button tags)

2 - Is there a payment to be made also when sending the sample? Or have they taken this already via direct debit.

Thanks.

Lime Tree Farm

1. I'd prefer to use plastic A5 envelopes, ring them and ask tag supplier to send on some more, or failing that, if there's a "Pound" shop near you might get some there .

2. The €4 each is deducted by ICBF

whelan2

Ring your tag company for more envelopes. Write your herd number and number of samples on envelope. I put my eircode on the back too

patsy_mccabe

Cormac Tagging sell envelopes online here, qty 20 and 50;

20 ICBF NGP Envelopes - Cormac Tagging

50 ICBF NGP Envelopes - Cormac Tagging

stanflt

Milk recording was a pain as 50 cows not considered calved this am

endainoz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121755680#Comment_121755680

Possibly a dumb question, but could these be used for mulinahone tags, they hardly use the same lab?

Also could I just use the bvd plastic envelopes and put a label over the printed address? First calf to tag here.

patsy_mccabe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121757628#Comment_121757628

20240123_142747.jpg

I can't see why not. Address is for ICBF. Unless Cormac have a different PO Box number to Mullinahone at ICBF.

Sorry pic upside down.

whelan2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121757129#Comment_121757129

It's all under control. No problem. We recorded and everything worked out after calves were registered after genotyping . Milk recorder mustn't be up to speed. Ifc very on the ball with all this

whelan2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121757628#Comment_121757628

I dont think so tbh as Mullinahone is on the front of their envelope. Could cause more crap.

Wildsurfer

Is it that Mullinahone didn't supply envelopes with tags or what? There's a few in every box of Cormac tags.

whelan2

I got 1 envelope in a box of 30 supplementary tags. . 10 samples per envelope. You're supposed to post asap after tagging. I rang to order more, can't irder online. 25 minutes on hold and they were awaiting more envelopes from France none in stock. In fairness I got about 20 in the post a week later. Not sure how many envelopes there's in the new tag sets will be opening a box later.

patsy_mccabe

Just got a text there from ICBF to say that the Full Genomics Proofs were up online for samples I sent in on 26 Jan 2024. I checked and ya, they are up.Before today it was only Sire Confirmed. That is quick, in fairness.

Silverdream

What stamp should I be using on the plastic envelopes, are they classed as a letter or large envelope?

Feckers only gave me 1 envelope too :(

whelan2

2 x N stamps. Buy the valentines pack you get money off , I think it's a free stamp or something

Wildsurfer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121758312#Comment_121758312

Why only 10 samples per envelope? I sent off 30 and no problems.

whelan2

Thats what the icbf leaflet said

Wildsurfer

The difference between men and women, ye read the instructions first! Probably safer in case they get lost alright.

whelan2

There's nothing on the blue card to say the calf has been genotyped. Does it show on board in mart

Hard Knocks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121760759#Comment_121760759

Not the marts around here

Lime Tree Farm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121760759#Comment_121760759

Does it show the Sire tag number- now that they know it.