Beef Improvement Research Programme

Tender description

AHDB is inviting tenders for the provision of equipment for the measurement of individual feed intake in group-housed growing cattle on commercial farms. A minimum of forty eight individual feeding stations will be purchased by AHDB, and installed on two or more farms (ie 24 on each of two farms or equivalent). Installation must take place by the end of June 2016. This project aims to demonstrate the ability to measure and select for feed intake parameters in beef cattle on commercial farms, and establish a system for recording traits relevant to feed efficiency after the end of the funded project that can be extended across cattle breeds. Its core objectives are to: •Establish a consortium of stakeholders •Undertake studies to devise, test and validate selection and breeding objectives •Develop protocols for use at national scale •Establish a network of facilities •Undertake genetic analysis •Establish business model for on-going national programme