Where's the beef?

Published on 21 June 2011 in Sustainability and Communities

Key Challenges

Breeding and selection for improved livestock performance is a complex, expensive and long term approach but highly cost-effective. Meeting the needs of consumers for high quality affordable meat across a wide range of farming enterprises required a step change in efficient breeding and selection. New demands on farming systems to improve production efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve animal welfare standards drive the revision of traditional approaches. The economic survival of the industry and supplies of home-produced beef are paramount to Scottish livelihoods.

Key Benefits

The beef sector contributes approximately £3 billion a year to UK agricultural output, and in a globally competitive market place we require a very efficient food supply chain. This SRUC research has ensured that the performance of beef cattle can be improved across a wide range of characteristics to meet the demands of healthy and affordable diets. For example, leaner cuts of meat with less waste coupled with high levels of meat-eating and nutritional quality provide substantial economic and social benefits. The internal rate of return on annual investments in our beef breeding research programme is estimated to be 15%. This leading research has world-wide utility as demand for higher protein diets follows global prosperity trends.

SRUC research has ensured that the performance of beef cattle can be improved across a wide range of characteristics to meet the demands of healthy and affordable diets.

In addition to the direct contribution to the economy of the livestock sector, SRUC in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and the Roslin Institute have created a commercial business in research and consultancy (EGENES). This business is focused upon providing a scientific basis for commercial livestock improvement. Thus our research tools and know-how are sold to customers that are responsible for substantial proportions of the livestock production industry. Products include the tools for selection; estimated breeding values, selection indexes and other scoring systems. Customers can use these tools to pursue improved economic performance, improved product quality, improved animal health and welfare, and reduced environmental impact.

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