Numan Sharif

Project Title: Targeting sustainable production through modelling lamb growth data in lowland sheep flocks

Overview: Numan is studying the growth patterns of lowland sheep by modelling their growth data. The main objective is to identify the most accurate growth equation for predicting lamb growth using early-life data and to investigate the proportion of growth driven by genetics. Additionally, he will examine the relationship between lamb growth and sward quality.

 Days to slaughter is a critical factor that significantly influences greenhouse gas emissions. In this project, Numan will investigate how the number of days to slaughter affects the overall carbon footprint of the animal and its influence on farm profitability. He will also explore the effect of genetic selection on lamb growth and investigate the feasibility of improving lamb management post-weaning.

 Numan Sharif is originally from Pakistan, where he earned his B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Animal Science and MPhil degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics. Before joining this PhD program, he worked as a Research Associate in a Sipli sheep breeding project at IUB. He has experience in data analysis, genetic parameter estimation, modelling for growth curves, and gene association studies. His primary research interest lies in understanding the genetic and genomic mechanisms underlying complex traits in livestock species.

Programme Area: Animal and Bioscience

Supervisors: Dr Fiona McGovern, Prof Tommy Boland

Locations: Teagasc, Athenry

Funding Source: Teagasc