Details of the project EPI

Development and implementation of an innovative "Beef Progeny Test" station for beef cattle for sustainable beef production and improved culinary quality

14-04-2023 do 31-12-2024

2 681 088,00

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020

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The aim of the operation will be to make beef production more sustainable and improve its culinary quality by developing and putting into practice a solution in the form of a Beef Progeny Test station for cattle. The station will be equipped with innovative solutions enabling the quantification of the genetic potential of progeny from evaluated bulls mainly in the context of the most important fattening traits, i.e. growth rate and feed conversion under standardised environmental conditions.

The implementation of the operation is of a research and development nature and the research methodology adopted is coherent, logical and relevant to the objective set. The aim of the operation will be to develop and implement a highly innovative solution in the form of a Beef Progeny Test station for beef cattle in order to balance beef production and improve its culinary quality. The station will be equipped with innovative solutions to quantify the genetic potential of progeny from evaluated bulls mainly in the context of the most important fattening traits, i.e. growth rate and feed conversion under standardised environmental conditions.

The need for the operation stems directly from observations of the national and global beef market and a review of the latest scientific developments in the field. The operation consists of 3 innovative stages forming a complementary whole. The station will be equipped with innovative solutions enabling the quantification of the genetic potential of progeny from evaluated bulls mainly in the context of the most important fattening traits, i.e. growth rate and feed conversion under standardised environmental conditions. Therefore, in order to minimise animal stress and the effort involved in obtaining information on growth rate and feed consumption, 2 product innovations have been introduced in the form of an automatic device to automatically monitor and record the weight of animals in the drinking zone and an automatic device to monitor the amount of feed intake by each animal, together with a system for recording feeding behaviour and obtaining specific beef quality traits (e.g. marbl

The planned operation envisages the introduction of a number of product and organisational innovations aimed at improving the culinary quality and sensory qualities of sustainably produced beef, the development of a new production model for live beef. In terms of production, a new product will be implemented in the form of high quality and reproducible beef based on bull evaluation and testing and feeding monitoring systems. A new method of organising beef livestock production will be implemented, based on the prototype systems implemented.

The project will contribute to increasing the quality and availability of Polish high-quality beef. Implementation of the solutions worked out in the project will contribute to obtaining repeatability in production of high quality beef, with high sensory values, produced in a sustainable manner. Developing an efficient economic model will contribute to improving the productivity and competitiveness of the beef sector through sustainable production. Managing a rational production process based on prototype bull evaluation and feeding monitoring systems will allow both resource, cost and environmental rationalisation of beef livestock production. Farms which will apply the recommendations and recommendations provided by the solution will reduce production costs will become competitive in relation to other farms in the country and the EU. The results of the Operation, by improving the efficiency of the fattening process, its shortening and modification towards lowering gas emissions, will evidently influence environmental protection and support the area in mitigating the effects of climate change. As a result of the recommendations, farms will be made aware of the importance of production using natural production methods.

animal husbandry and welfare