Research call to help beef industry efficiency
A new £1.5 million Beef Knowledge Partnership, focusing on key areas of beef production, has been launched by AHDB Beef and Lamb and the organisation is calling on research and industry collaborators to form the partnership.
The aim of the project is to devise and implement a programme of research, development and knowledge exchange in two key areas:
• Improving youngstock health and reducing losses due to poor health and disease during the production cycle;
• Improving efficiency in the use of feed and forages, including updating nutrition standards for beef cattle.
The project will aim to deliver focused, commercially-relevant, innovative research and will also collect information on new technical developments, improved practices and emerging ideas from across the world.
An intensive programme of knowledge exchange will accelerate uptake by farmers, in order to prepare for the challenges facing beef producers in the years ahead.
Dr Mary Vickers, AHDB Beef and Lamb senior scientist, commented: “Mortality and production loss due to disease have a significant impact on the bottom line, and reduce our competitiveness internationally. Increasing pressure to minimise antibiotic use across the livestock industry means that it is more important than ever to focus on proactive cattle health management.
“Food and forage use efficiency is another key factor in sustaining a profitable beef system. Research on beef ration formulation is now 30 years old, so there is a real need for updating through new research.
“A partnership approach provides a flexible means for researchers and the beef industry to work collaboratively,” Vickers continued. “The five-year term of the agreement means the work being undertaken can respond dynamically to new developments or emerging science.”
More details of the application process can be found here.
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