“A solution-oriented framework for reducing the finishing age of Irish beef cattle”
Background: Reducing the mean finishing age of prime beef cattle from 26 to 22-23 months by 2030 has been identified as fundamental to achieving Ireland’s 25% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agricultural sector. Nationally, mean age at finishing is six-to-nine months later than achieved on grass-based beef research and high-performing commercial farms. To expedite a reduction in finishing, there is an urgent need to identify and quantify the key factors currently impeding Irish beef farms from achieving potential live weight targets throughout the animals’ lifetime. The Teagasc lead Beef-Quest Project, recently funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, aims to investigate the effect of nutrition, health and on-farm environment factors presently constraining animal growth performance and the finishing age of cattle on beef farms and to assess their impacts on GHG emissions. In collaboration with ICBF and UCD, this project will use data currently available within the industry. In addition, a new large-scale on-farm study is planned to generate new data. Overall Beef-Quest will identify, quantify and rank the primary on-farm technical and behavioural- related bottlenecks negatively impacting beef cattle finishing age. Using this new information more targeted, high-impact and deliverable solutions can be proposed and disseminated to reduce the finishing age of cattle, thus improving the sustainability of Irish beef production.
Requirements: Applicants should have a primary degree (First or upper Second Class Honours) or a M.Sc. in an appropriate discipline (Animal or Agricultural Science, Biology etc.). The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated and be prepared for both field- and desk-based work. A full EU driving licence is also required. Proficiency in the English language is required. Please see the following link with regard to English Language requirements https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/policiesandgeneralregulations/generalrequirements/minimumenglishlanguagerequirements/
Award: A 4 year PhD Scholarship funded through by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine “Beef-Quest” project is available. The successful student will be registered at University College Dublin (UCD), but primarily based at the Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Grange Co. Meath, Ireland, with complementary course work conducted at UCD.
The scholarship funding is €31,000 per annum and includes University fees of up to a maximum of €6,000 per annum and is tenable for 4 years.
Further Information/Applications: For further information please email: alan.kelly@ucd.ie or
paul.smith@teagasc.ie.
Application Procedure: Submit an electronic copy of a Curriculum Vitae, which should include a short personal statement and the names and contact details of two referees, by email to both: alan.kelly@ucd.ie and paul.smith@teagasc.ie,
Closing date: 8th April, 2024.
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