Irish Journal of Agricultural & Food ResearchIrish Journal of Agricultural & Food Researchhttp://hdl.handle.net/11019/12024-03-13T10:50:22Z2024-03-13T10:50:22ZConsumer assessment, in Ireland and the United Kingdom, of the impact of the method of suspension of carcasses from dairy-origin bulls and steers, on the sensory characteristics of the longissimus muscleMoloney, A.P.Chong, F.S.Hagan, T.D.J.Gordon, A.W.Methven, L.O’Sullivan, M.G.Farmer, L.J.http://hdl.handle.net/11019/35712024-03-03T04:21:47Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZConsumer assessment, in Ireland and the United Kingdom, of the impact of the method of suspension of carcasses from dairy-origin bulls and steers, on the sensory characteristics of the longissimus muscle
Moloney, A.P.; Chong, F.S.; Hagan, T.D.J.; Gordon, A.W.; Methven, L.; O’Sullivan, M.G.; Farmer, L.J.
The objective was to compare the assessment of beef produced in Ireland from a 19-month bull or a 24-month steer dairy beef production system by consumers in Ireland (Cork) and the United Kingdom (Belfast and Reading). Carcass sides were suspended by the Achilles tendon or by the pelvic bone and 21-d aged longissimus muscle assessed using Meat Standards Australia protocols. Carcass weight and classification were similar for bulls and steers. Consumers in Belfast and Cork rated aroma liking, tenderness, juiciness, overall liking and the composite meat quality score (MQ4) similarly, but lower (P < 0.05) than consumers in Reading. Consumers in Belfast and Cork rated flavour liking similarly as did consumers in Cork and Reading, but consumers in Reading rated flavour liking higher (P < 0.05) than consumers in Belfast. Muscle from steers had higher scores for aroma liking, flavour liking, overall liking and MQ4 scores than bulls (P < 0.05). On average, pelvic suspension increased (P < 0.05) the scores for aroma liking and flavour liking compared with conventional suspension but increased (P < 0.05) tenderness, juiciness, overall liking and MQ4 scores only in bulls. Consumers in Reading rated striploin from the traditional Achilles tendon-suspended steers similarly to striploin from pelvic-suspended bulls (MQ4 score of 71.8 and 68.2, respectively). Beef from the latter system could replace the traditional steer beef in this market, thereby benefiting the beef producer and the environment.
peer-reviewed
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZLinear type trait genetic trends in Irish Holstein-Friesian dairy animalsBerry, DonaghRing, S.C.Kelleher, M.M.http://hdl.handle.net/11019/29272023-08-17T11:53:39Z2022-11-04T00:00:00ZLinear type trait genetic trends in Irish Holstein-Friesian dairy animals
Berry, Donagh; Ring, S.C.; Kelleher, M.M.
The objective of the present study was to investigate the genetic trends of 18 subjectively scored linear type traits describing animal morphology, as well as udder, teat, feet and leg conformation. The analysis was undertaken using 2,932,700 Holstein-Friesian females born in the Republic of Ireland between the years 2000 and 2020, inclusive. The results indicate that Holstein-Friesian females have progressively become shorter in stature as well as shallower (i.e. body depth) and less angular. The reduction in genetic merit for stature score since the year 2004 was, however, only observed in non-herdbook-registered heifers. Furthermore, the reducing score in body depth (i.e. narrower) and angularity (i.e. less angular) was approximately twice as fast in non-herdbook-registered heifers as it was in herdbook-registered heifers. Differences in the genetic merit of the body-related traits for calves born versus those that became cows only existed prior to 2010 with little biological differences thereafter; this observation was common across most of the linear type traits. Genetic merit for locomotion in non-herdbook-registered animals has deteriorated over the 20-yr period, while the foot angle over that period is becoming lower; no such trends were observed for the herdbook-registered animals. Large differences not only in the trends themselves, but also in the mean genetic merit for udder traits existed when comparing herdbook-registered calves versus non-registered calves. In conclusion, genetic merit for many of the traits evaluated has trended relatively consistent in a given direction, albeit the cumulative change in genetic s.d. units per traits over the 20-yr period was very small.
peer-reviewed
2022-11-04T00:00:00ZIrish cattle farmers’ experiences and perceptions of negative framing of farm animal welfare in the mediaDuley, A.Connor, M.Vigors, B.http://hdl.handle.net/11019/29262023-08-17T11:54:46Z2022-11-04T00:00:00ZIrish cattle farmers’ experiences and perceptions of negative framing of farm animal welfare in the media
Duley, A.; Connor, M.; Vigors, B.
RECORDABSTRACTARTICLE
Irish cattle farmers’ experiences and perceptions of negative framing of farm animal welfare in the media
RESEARCH-ARTICLE
Author(s): A. Duley 1 , , M. Connor 1 , B. Vigors 2
Publication date (Electronic): 04 November 2022
Journal: Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research
Publisher: Compuscript
Keywords: Agriculture, farm animal welfare, farmer perception, media framing, rural sociology
Abstract
Increased urbanisation in recent decades has created a knowledge gap between farming and the Irish public. Mainstream media has begun filling this gap through reports on farm animal welfare (FAW) incidents that sometimes frame farming in a negative way. This negative framing can influence how farmers perceive the information communicated in these media stories and colour their experiences. Furthermore, perceived societal pressures may contribute to farmers feeling overwhelmed or negatively impact their mental health. In the context of FAW, the latter is particularly relevant as poor farmer mental health has been associated with poorer animal welfare. However, little is known about how the negative framing of FAW stories influence farmers’ perceptions and experiences. The aim of this study was to explore how negatively framed media stories about FAW incidents affect cattle farmers’ perceptions of animal welfare. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with seven Irish beef and dairy farmers using vignettes displaying negatively framed FAW incidents presented in the media. Five themes were identified: (1) job satisfaction and motivation, (2) impact on the human–animal relationship, (3) the importance of community, (4) negative portrayal of farmers and (5) need for FAW education. Findings suggest that negative framing of FAW in the media, as well as rural restructuring in Ireland, may negatively affect farmers’ motivation which could have indirect implications for the welfare of their animals.
peer-reviewed
2022-11-04T00:00:00ZA short survey of key silage-making practices on Northern Ireland dairy farms, and farmer perceptions of factors influencing silage qualityFerris, C.P.Laidlaw, A.S.Wylie, A.R.G.http://hdl.handle.net/11019/29252023-08-17T11:56:04Z2022-11-07T00:00:00ZA short survey of key silage-making practices on Northern Ireland dairy farms, and farmer perceptions of factors influencing silage quality
Ferris, C.P.; Laidlaw, A.S.; Wylie, A.R.G.
Northern Ireland dairy farmers (n = 174) were surveyed to identify key silage-making practices, and factors perceived to influence the quality of grass silage made on their farms. The majority of farmers (65%) harvested grass for silage three times/year: 62% normally used a contractor, while 47% routinely used a silage additive. Delays to mowing and delays to harvesting due to adverse weather or poor ground conditions were perceived to have a large or very large impact on silage quality (68% and 53% of farmers, respectively). Inadequate wilting, poor-quality swards on owned land, on rented land and “contamination” of first-cut grass with autumn or winter growth herbage were all perceived as having a large or very large impact on silage quality (32%, 27%, 40%, 30% of farmers, respectively). Over the previous decade, 11%, 41% and 37% of farmers claimed a small, moderate or large improvement in silage quality, mainly due to earlier cutting of grass and ensiling better quality swards.
peer-reviewed
2022-11-07T00:00:00Z