Sarah Burke

Project Title: Developing more sustainable weanling to beef production systems in the context of animal genetics and multispecies swards

Overview: 

Sarah is comparing two groups of late maturing steers genetically divergent for carcass fatness. The animals will be assigned to one of two pasture types (conventional and multispecies swards) and one of three slaughter ages (19, 24, 28 months).

In Ireland, the average age of slaughter for these type of animals is 29 months. By reducing the age of slaughter, the environmental footprint can be reduced and profits increased.

Multispecies swards represent a possible opportunity to improve the sustainability of beef production systems by reducing the inorganic nitrogen input, enhancing the nutritive value of the sward and improving individual animal performance.

A key challenge, which will be assessed, is finishing late maturing animals on grass-only diets at a relatively young age while meeting a commercially acceptable fat score.

Programme Area: Livestock department

Supervisors: Mark McGee, Paul Crosson, Edward O’Riordan and Alan Kelly

Location: Teagasc Grange

Funding Source: Teagasc and University College Dublin (UCD)