Stephen Conroy, Manager of the ICBF, Tully Bull Performance Centre, and Paul Smith, Teagasc Researcher, join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an insight into the centre, current research findings and its future direction.

Stephen explains how the research is carried out on progeny selected from Gene Ireland sires. Every year over 700 animals are put through the testing facilities in Co.Kildare over a 90 day period. 

He outlines the variety of measurements that are taken such as feed intake and meat quality such as tenderness, flavour and juiciness. 

Interestingly, based on the terminal index cattle, 5 stars had a feed intake of 2.5kg lower than 1 star animals and 5 star cattle had a 28kg heavier carcass compared to 1 star €5/kg  at a price of this is an increase of €140 /head.  Stephen also discussed the future studies taking place such as the water intake of cattle.
 
Methane emissions is a major challenge facing the agricultural sector and Paul described his involvement  with the rumen predict project, the main mitigation strategies and what the work at Tully has shown in relation to methane emissions.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

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