Net feed efficiency (NFE) in stabiliser cattle
The project: Over 1,100 young breeding bulls and finishing steers within the stabiliser breed were assessed over five years. The challenge was to identify cattle that get less feed, but perform just as well, improving profitability.Results: There was a 30% variation in NFE. The best-performing third used 13% less feed to produce the same level of performance, compared with the lowest-performing third.Impact: This gives the most efficient third a feed cost saving of £23/hd over a 12-week period, compared with the least-efficient third. This was achieved with no change to the animal performance, carcase grade or on the eating quality or fertility of the bulls tested. NFE is a trait that is 37% heritable, so selection for NFE will breed more efficient cattle.Research leader: Dr Jimmy Hyslop.Measuring carcase characteristics on the hoof
The project: Is it possible to use technology to help identify cattle that have reached their optimum level of growth and finish? In 2014, just 52% of UK beef carcases met the target fat and conformation classes. Results: The relationship between live 3D images of animals, their body measurements and carcase classification are being assessed for confirmation grade.Impact: This project has the potential to identify when finishing cattle have reached the optimal carcase weight, resulting in potential savings of over £35/head over an average finishing period.Research leader: Gemma Miller.Breeding for more taste and less waste in crossbred lambs
The project: Currently just 58% of UK lambs meet market specification, meaning 5.9m of prime lambs have not reached their optimum sale value. Through modern breeding methods, technology and the feedback of individual information, the SRUC is trying to change this.Results: Research is still underway for this project using a computerised tomography (CT) scanner and the traceability system in an ABP Food group abattoir to get individual carcase feedback on lambs from two flocks of Scotch mule sheep. Over four years it will produce 5,000 terminal sire cross Scotch mule lambs.Impact: This will help identify sheep genotypes that produce leaner, but tastier meat, giving financial and environmental benefits.Research leader: Nicola Lambe.Lamb vigour at birth improves lamb survival
The project: Up to 20% of lambs die before weaning, mostly in the first three days of life. Nearly 80% of these deaths happen because lambs do not suck enough colostrum and milk soon after birth. The results: The project ran from 1994 to 2016, aiming to identify breeding lines and management that promote lamb vigour. Although lambs need to be maternal to encourage lambs to suckle, newborn lambs need to be able to stand and suck quickly to survive. It was found that low birth weight lambs are slower to stand and suck. Lamb vigour is also improved by good ewe nutrition during pregnancy.Impact: Work showed that lambs which need assistance to suck from mothers are 10% less likely to survive. Retaining ewes that produce vigourous lambs at birth supports flock productivity. This can be further developed by selecting future flock replacements from lambs that were vigorous at birth.Research leader: Cathy Dwyer.Dairy system feeding
by-products
The project: This research aimed to find out how viable it is to feed high levels of by-products in the dairy herd. Increasing demands on land for human food production and energy corps mean that dairy farming has to use land for grazing that cannot be cultivated, or rely more on feeds not eaten by humans.The results: The trial involved 100 cows on a system relying on by-products for three lactations. Ration consisting of biscuit meal, sugar beet pulp, chopped straw, breakfast cereal, dark grains, soya bean meal and molasses had 10 litres of water/cow/day added to bring the dry matter down to 50%. Satisfactory intakes and production were achieved, but milk quality was low.The impact: The idea of this project was to merely inform producers of alternatives. By-product feeds are sensitive to availability and the variability of straw is also an issue.Research leader: Mizeck Chagunda.Out wintering high production dairy heifers
The project: Can dairy heifers with high genetic merit be outwintered without compromising future milk yield, composition or fertility? The project trialled deferred grazed grass and grass silage, forage kale and grass silage, compared with housed heifers on a total mixed ration.The results: There was no significant difference in liveweight gain between the outwintered and housed heifers after 14 weeks of lactation. By comparison, there was significant growth in the outwintered kale-fed group. However, the grass-fed group produced more milk than the others (29.8kg/day compared with 27.3kg/day for the housed group and 27.9kg/day for the kale-fed group). There were no major differences in milk composition or fertility, but the kale-fed group had a longer calving interval.The impact: Out wintering in-calf heifers can be used as a viable alternative to winter housing on a TMR system. When accounting for housing, feed and slurry storage, it is estimated that outwintering can reduce costs by 64% (£178/heifer). However, if weather conditions are bad, heifers may lose condition.Research leader: Paul Hargreaves.Grass and clover varieties
for Scotland
The project: The UK variety list does not always take into account the extreme weather conditions in Scotland. This project tested the recommended varieties in sites at Aberdeen, Ayr and Edinburgh.The results: Grass varieties are assessed for herbage productivity under cutting and grazing conditions. They are rated on density, disease resistance and digestibility. If a variety meets set standards it enters the recommended list of approved varieties for Scotland.The impact: According to SRUC, a considerable number of varieties receive approval for England and Wales, but are not suitable for Scotland. Results are issued to grass seed merchants and suppliers who can ensure that their seed mixtures are classified as ‘first choice’ for Scotland.Research leader: David Lawson.
Net feed efficiency (NFE) in stabiliser cattle
The project: Over 1,100 young breeding bulls and finishing steers within the stabiliser breed were assessed over five years. The challenge was to identify cattle that get less feed, but perform just as well, improving profitability.Results: There was a 30% variation in NFE. The best-performing third used 13% less feed to produce the same level of performance, compared with the lowest-performing third.Impact: This gives the most efficient third a feed cost saving of £23/hd over a 12-week period, compared with the least-efficient third. This was achieved with no change to the animal performance, carcase grade or on the eating quality or fertility of the bulls tested. NFE is a trait that is 37% heritable, so selection for NFE will breed more efficient cattle.Research leader: Dr Jimmy Hyslop.Measuring carcase characteristics on the hoof
The project: Is it possible to use technology to help identify cattle that have reached their optimum level of growth and finish? In 2014, just 52% of UK beef carcases met the target fat and conformation classes. Results: The relationship between live 3D images of animals, their body measurements and carcase classification are being assessed for confirmation grade.Impact: This project has the potential to identify when finishing cattle have reached the optimal carcase weight, resulting in potential savings of over £35/head over an average finishing period.Research leader: Gemma Miller.Breeding for more taste and less waste in crossbred lambs
The project: Currently just 58% of UK lambs meet market specification, meaning 5.9m of prime lambs have not reached their optimum sale value. Through modern breeding methods, technology and the feedback of individual information, the SRUC is trying to change this.Results: Research is still underway for this project using a computerised tomography (CT) scanner and the traceability system in an ABP Food group abattoir to get individual carcase feedback on lambs from two flocks of Scotch mule sheep. Over four years it will produce 5,000 terminal sire cross Scotch mule lambs.Impact: This will help identify sheep genotypes that produce leaner, but tastier meat, giving financial and environmental benefits.Research leader: Nicola Lambe.Lamb vigour at birth improves lamb survival
The project: Up to 20% of lambs die before weaning, mostly in the first three days of life. Nearly 80% of these deaths happen because lambs do not suck enough colostrum and milk soon after birth. The results: The project ran from 1994 to 2016, aiming to identify breeding lines and management that promote lamb vigour. Although lambs need to be maternal to encourage lambs to suckle, newborn lambs need to be able to stand and suck quickly to survive. It was found that low birth weight lambs are slower to stand and suck. Lamb vigour is also improved by good ewe nutrition during pregnancy.Impact: Work showed that lambs which need assistance to suck from mothers are 10% less likely to survive. Retaining ewes that produce vigourous lambs at birth supports flock productivity. This can be further developed by selecting future flock replacements from lambs that were vigorous at birth.Research leader: Cathy Dwyer.Dairy system feeding
by-products
The project: This research aimed to find out how viable it is to feed high levels of by-products in the dairy herd. Increasing demands on land for human food production and energy corps mean that dairy farming has to use land for grazing that cannot be cultivated, or rely more on feeds not eaten by humans.The results: The trial involved 100 cows on a system relying on by-products for three lactations. Ration consisting of biscuit meal, sugar beet pulp, chopped straw, breakfast cereal, dark grains, soya bean meal and molasses had 10 litres of water/cow/day added to bring the dry matter down to 50%. Satisfactory intakes and production were achieved, but milk quality was low.The impact: The idea of this project was to merely inform producers of alternatives. By-product feeds are sensitive to availability and the variability of straw is also an issue.Research leader: Mizeck Chagunda.Out wintering high production dairy heifers
The project: Can dairy heifers with high genetic merit be outwintered without compromising future milk yield, composition or fertility? The project trialled deferred grazed grass and grass silage, forage kale and grass silage, compared with housed heifers on a total mixed ration.The results: There was no significant difference in liveweight gain between the outwintered and housed heifers after 14 weeks of lactation. By comparison, there was significant growth in the outwintered kale-fed group. However, the grass-fed group produced more milk than the others (29.8kg/day compared with 27.3kg/day for the housed group and 27.9kg/day for the kale-fed group). There were no major differences in milk composition or fertility, but the kale-fed group had a longer calving interval.The impact: Out wintering in-calf heifers can be used as a viable alternative to winter housing on a TMR system. When accounting for housing, feed and slurry storage, it is estimated that outwintering can reduce costs by 64% (£178/heifer). However, if weather conditions are bad, heifers may lose condition.Research leader: Paul Hargreaves.Grass and clover varieties
for Scotland
The project: The UK variety list does not always take into account the extreme weather conditions in Scotland. This project tested the recommended varieties in sites at Aberdeen, Ayr and Edinburgh.The results: Grass varieties are assessed for herbage productivity under cutting and grazing conditions. They are rated on density, disease resistance and digestibility. If a variety meets set standards it enters the recommended list of approved varieties for Scotland.The impact: According to SRUC, a considerable number of varieties receive approval for England and Wales, but are not suitable for Scotland. Results are issued to grass seed merchants and suppliers who can ensure that their seed mixtures are classified as ‘first choice’ for Scotland.Research leader: David Lawson. 
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