The Effects of Slaughter Weight on the Efficiency of Lean Meat Production From Holstein Bull Calves and on the Quality of Processed Meat From Their Carcasses, and its Suitability for Markets - B-04-00
Duration 6 years commencing Spring 2000
Team and Leader R.W.J. Steen
Organisations Involved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Agricultural Economics Division, Newforge Lane and Scottish Agricultural College.
Background and Summary
Rearing and finishing Holstein calves could provide an additional enterprise for beef producers in the current situation of low profitability in the beef industry. However, beef from Hosteins is only useful for manufacturing, and conventional cereal bull beef production is currently uneconomic unless one BSP can be claimed.
The Effects of Housing System on the Behaviour, Welfare and Performance of Beef Cattle - B-02-97
Duration
Team and Leader R W J Steen
Organisations involved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough and Food Science Division, Department of Agriculture
Background and Summary
Increasing public concern for the welfare of farm animals has generated concern amongst some supermarket buyers of beef that the use of slatted accommodation may convey an image of poor animal welfare to consumers.
An Examination of Factors Affecting the Dirtiness of Finished Beef Cattle - B-01-97
Duration
Team and Leader R W J Steen
Organisations Involved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Food Science Division, Department of Agriculture and The Queen?s University of Belfast.
Background and Summary
Minimising the amount of dirt on beef cattle offered for slaughter is considered to be of paramount importance in reducing the risk of bacterial contamination of beef carcasses.
Read more: An Examination of Factors Affecting the Dirtiness of Finished Beef Cattle - B-01-97
Reducing organic nitrogen outputs from dairy cows and beef cattle in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones - DB-16-03
Duration 2 years
Team and Leader J.P. Frost and T.W.J. Keady
Organisations involved: ARINI, Hillsborough; Environmental Science Division, DARD
Background and Summary
Under EC Council Directive 91/676/EEC, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) have been designated in catchment areas in the British Isles where nitrate from agricultural land is reported to be a source of pollution of watersources. Within NVZ the application of N from animal manures must be less than 250 kg/ha total N each year over the area of grass on the farm, and 210 kg/ha total N averaged over the area not in grass.