Dr. Andrew Cromie:

This comes back to the economics. Teagasc Grange was involved in developing the economic value. The ICBF computes the genetic evaluation. Teagasc computes the economic values by working with Bord Bia and the relevant agencies. The Vice Chairman is asking how to get more carcass confirmation. That will come back to the issue of taking from milk and fertility and the other traits, because they are operating against each other. The confirmation comes at a price, which is the issue. The index has to reflect full farm profitability, which is a combination of several features. A farmer will want a cow that will calve every year, one that will rear a calf and a good quality calf that will go through to slaughter. There are many pieces to the jigsaw.