Increasing the lifetime growth rate of beef cattle - B-05-01

Duration

March 2001 to April 2005

Team and Leader R.W.J. Steen and B.W. Moss

Organisations involved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co. Down and Food Science Division, DARD

Background and Summary

The overall efficiency of beef production in Northern Ireland is currently limited by low lifetime growth rates in a major proportion of cattle. Higher growth rates would improve efficiency in terms of beef output per unit of food consumed, but this must be achieved at minimal extra cost per unit of food input, if the improvement in efficiency is to be translated into extra profit.

Furthermore, although the EU has a policy that supports the extensification of beef production, the changes instigated under the Agenda 2000 reform of the beef regime will necessitate the intensification of beef production in the grass producing regions of the British Isles.

This is due to steers, after the second BSP has been claimed, and heifers being included in the stocking rate calculation for forage area related subsidies. As a result of this, there will be major pressure on farmers to finish heifers as quickly as possible, and steers as soon as possible after the second BSP has been claimed, to minimise the impact of these animals on the eligibility of the farm for claiming forage area related subsidies on other animals. A number of factors may increase lifetime growth rate, including better grazing management, earlier turnout of cattle to pasture in the spring, feeding concentrates at grass especially in autumn and feeding for high growth rates during the winter.

The proposed project would examine the relative importance of the factors as a means of increasing the lifetime growth rate of beef cattle at minimum cost. As well as examining the effects of these factors on lifetime growth rate and efficiency, their effect on carcass composition/quality and meat quality would be examined.

Timescale

Awaiting final report.

Benefits to industry

The aim of the project is to identify the most cost-effective means of increasing the performance of beef cattle.

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