Meat Promotion Wales – Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC), has announced a new project aimed at developing breeding strategies to reduce greenhouse gases in the agricultural industry, in which they are actively seeking Welsh beef and sheep farmers to participate in.
Working in partnership with a large consortium of industry and academic organisations, HCC has partnered with business development company, Mentera, to recruit farmers onto their ‘Breeding better beef and sheep’ project.
The project is designed to help Welsh red meat producers make more informed, practical and affordable breeding decisions which will improve the efficiency of their farming enterprises.
Its participants must be interested in improved breeding management, driving genetic progress on their farms, and are willing to complete a carbon footprint analysis which would explore the cost benefits, providing an impact assessment of the changes enacted in the project.
Breeding better beef and sheep
HCC’s research and development and sustainability executive, Dr. Heather McCalman, said:
“We are pleased to be involved in this new, multi-disciplinary project and look forward to working with Welsh farmers and other industry partners to work towards net zero.
“We hope that this project will give the red meat industry in Wales robust evidence to help us promote the sustainability credentials of PGI Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef to the consumer. Many farmers face unclear guidance on how to lower emissions, slowing the industry’s progress.
“By harnessing research, reviewing global breeding methods and collecting data from five case study farms in Wales, along with 15 other farms across the UK, the project will identify practical and affordable breeding strategies to cut emissions and improve profitability.”
Interested farmers are asked to contact HCC registering their interest in participating in the project before February 3.
Backed by HCC and Mentera, the project is one of 15 being funded by the AFN Network+ (UKRI Agri-food for Net Zero Network+) that are designed to support the UK agri-food sector’s transition to net zero by 2050.
The AFN Network+ is a three-year programme set up in 2022, with £5 million funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
It aims to collate UK researchers, policymakers, third-sector organisations and agri-food industry professionals, from farmers to retailers, to explore effective means to support the industry in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving environmental sustainability.
