Maximising Returns from Beef Progeny Sourced in the Dairy Herd - DB-26-05

Duration 4 years commencing March 2005

Team and Leader  Dawson, M.A. McCoy and B. Moss

Organisations Involved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland (DARDNI)

Background and Summary

There are approximately 298,000 and 307,000 dairy and suckler cows in Northern Ireland respectively. Whilst it is envisaged that post Mid Term Review (MTR) of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) the number of suckler cows will decline, it is predicted that the dairy herd will increase slightly.

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Low input forages for beef production B-07-06

Duration 3 years commencing May 2006

Team and Leader  L.E.R. Dawson, D.L. Easson, B.W. Moss

Organisations involved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland

Background and Summary

The main objective of the Nitrates Directive is to reduce water pollution caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources.  On of the key action programmes within the Nitrates Directive for Northern Ireland is to ensure that the amounts of chemical fertilizer and organic manures applied do not exceed crop requirements for nitrogen. 

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Economic Evaluation of Holstein Bull Beef Production - DB-24-04

Duration October 2004 - January 2005

Team and Leader R.M. Kirkland, T.W.J. Keady and D. Anderson

Organisations involved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland

Background and Summary
The continuing trend for increased use of Holstein genetics in dairy herds has resulted in a large number of Holstein-Friesian bull calves becoming available, at low cost, as a potential resource for the beef industry. Finishing of these cattle on intensive feeding regimes has become more attractive in recent years reflecting, inter alia, the reduction in cereal prices and availability of subsidy payments. 

Read more: Economic Evaluation of Holstein Bull Beef Production - DB-24-04

Contribution of meat (beef and lamb) from grass fed ruminants to the total human dietary intake of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids - UU-B-08-06

Duration 3 years commencing September 2006

Team and Leader Professor JJ Strain (UU), Dr M Bonham, Dr J Wallace, Dr E Duffy (UU), Dr G Cuskelly (LMC), Dr B Moss and Dr Ann Fearon (AFBI)

Organisations involved University of Ulster Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (UU), Livestock & Meat Commission (LMC) and Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)

Background and Summary

To fill in knowledge gaps, and to update the current estimates of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the Irish population by acquiring data on fatty acid profiles for lean meat meals from animals reared under different production regimes.

Read more: Contribution of meat (beef and lamb) from grass fed ruminants to the total human dietary intake...

Beef Projects