Dairy farmers to explore genetics and breeding gains at Greenmount conference
Hannah Martin, Sustainable Ruminant Genetics with dairy farmer Andrew McCollum, Ballycairn Farms discuss plans for Session 2 at the Dairy Conference 2026: Driving Profitability, Delivering Sustainability.
Sunday 04 October 2026
Northern Ireland dairy farmers will be shown how genetic information can be turned into practical breeding decisions to improve herd performance, profitability and sustainability at a major industry conference in Antrim later this month.
Dairy Conference 2026: Driving Profitability, Delivering Sustainability will take place at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus on Tuesday 20 October, with a dedicated session exploring genotyping, herd data and the Northern Ireland Bovine Genetics Project.
Turning genetics into practical decisions
Farmers and industry professionals will hear how genotyping can strengthen the information available when selecting animals for breeding, while demonstrations will show how herd information and reports can be accessed through the Bovine Genetic Portal.
Marco Winters, Head of Animal Genetics at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, will open the session with a presentation on the opportunities the Bovine Genetics Project could create for Northern Ireland’s dairy industry.
He leads the genetic and genomic evaluation of UK dairy cattle and directs national breeding goals, and will explain how improved genetic information can support long-term progress within dairy herds.
Hannah Martin, Senior Business Support Specialist at Sustainable Ruminant Genetics, will demonstrate the Bovine Genetic Portal and explain how its information and herd reports can be used for herd management, breeding decisions and genetic improvement.
Lessons from a leading Northern Ireland herd
The conference will also hear first-hand experience from dairy farmer Andrew McCollum, who will outline the genetic progress achieved within the 300-cow Ballycairn herd at Cairn Farm, near Coleraine.
Operated by Andrew and his father, William McCollum, Ballycairn has been recognised as the UK’s highest-ranking herd for the Profitable Lifetime Index.
Its breeding strategy focuses on milk solids, fertility, udder health, locomotion and feed efficiency, with Andrew set to discuss both the progress achieved and lessons learned from using genetic information in a commercial dairy business.
Joe Mulholland, Head of Dairy, Pigs Poultry and Crops at CAFRE, said:
“Genetic improvement is a long-term investment in the performance, resilience and sustainability of our dairy herds. This session will demonstrate how farmers can turn genetic and genomic information into practical breeding decisions that support more efficient and profitable dairy businesses.
“By bringing together national expertise, accessible data tools and the practical farming experience of Andrew McCollum, the conference will provide delegates with practical insights that they can apply within their own herds or use when supporting farm businesses.”
Farmers can put questions to speakers
Francis Breen, Head of Livestock Genetics at CAFRE, will chair the session, which will also include a panel discussion giving delegates an opportunity to question the speakers.
The discussion will consider how opportunities arising from the Bovine Genetics Project could be applied by farmers within their own businesses and by organisations working with the dairy industry.
How to attend Dairy Conference 2026
• Date: Tuesday 20 October 2026
• Time: 10.00am to 3.00pm
• Venue: CAFRE Greenmount Campus, Antrim
• Cost: Free
• Booking: Attendance is free but advance booking is essential
• Registration: www.ufuni.org/event/dairy-conference-2026
For farmers considering how genetics could shape the future performance of their herds, the conference will offer a chance to move beyond the theory and see how genomic information, practical data tools and real-world breeding decisions can be brought together on farm.
