| 2017-05-02 |    |
Open Day to Focus on Future of UK Beef Production
New opportunities for UK beef producers will be highlighted at a Beef Improvement Group open day at JSR Wold Farm’s feed evaluation unit in East Yorkshire on 24th May 2017.
The event marks the conclusion of a successful five-year research
programme to develop the first Net Feed Efficiency Estimated Breeding
Value (EBV) and will afford visitors the opportunity to hear about
the project’s next steps followed by a tour of the Givendale
Stabiliser suckler herd.
Visitors to the BIG open day will have the opportunity of a tour of the Givendale herd of Stabiliser cattle
The project to develop the first Net Feed Efficiency EBV has been funded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, as part of a drive to improve sustainable protein production. It has been managed by the Beef Improvement Group (BIG) with support from JSR Farms, Alltech/Keenan and SAC Consulting, with all partners scheduled to be present at the open day.
The new genetic indicator will apply to the UK’s fastest growing cattle breed, the Stabiliser, and will allow beef producers to adopt new breeding strategies to reduce feed costs whilst also improving their environmental credentials through lower greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to presentations from project partners, the open day will provide an opportunity to hear the experiences of other Stabiliser breeders, through a formal presentation as well as through informal discussions over lunch or during the afternoon tour.
Open Day Programme
10.30am Arrival and coffee
11.00am Introduction; Tim Rymer, CEO, JSR Farms Ltd
11.05am Why Net Feed Efficiency?; Richard Fuller, BIG Director
11.20am Getting the ration right; Denis Dreux, Alltech
11.35am The research phase; Jimmy Hyslop, SAC Consulting
12.05pm Finishing Stabiliser cattle; Doug Dear, beef finisher
12.20pm Stabiliser breed update; Duncan Pullar, BIG Technical Development Manager
12.50pm Summary; David Alvis, CEO Yorkshire Dairy Goats
13.00pm Lunch
14.00pm Farm tour
16.00pm Tea and close
