AFBI and Teagasc collaborate in new ‘RAM Lamb’ research

AFBI and Teagasc researchers met in Teagasc Athenry, Co Galway recently to discuss initial results of an ongoing collaborative research project entitled ‘RamLamb’.. “RamLamb” is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in ROI and undertaken by AFBI, Teagasc and University College Dublin (UCD).

As part of this 4 year project, AFBI is carrying out two lamb finishing trials. The objectives of the first trial were to investigate the effects of gender (castrated versus entire male lambs), breed and diet (grazed grass, stubble turnip, forage rape, grass silage, clover silage or 90% concentrate) on lamb performance, carcass quality, as well as the sensory and instrumental quality of the meat, in terms of flavour.

Results from the first trial, undertaken at AFBI, indicated significant breed effects, with carcass characteristics of Suffolk x lambs superior to Blackface x lambs, and significant gender effects, with higher growth rates for male lambs compared to castrates (by 20 g per day). It also demonstrated significant diet effects, with highest growth rates achieved by lambs on concentrates or forage rape (by 103 g and 91 g per day respectively compared to lambs feeding on grass silage) and highest conformation scores obtained for lambs feeding on concentrates, grass silage or fresh grass. Ongoing analyses carried out by AFBI on the meat obtained from all lambs will investigate the effects of those parameters on meat quality attributes, including flavour.  In particular, this aspect of the study aims to determine both the incidence and chemical origin of any different flavours from ram lamb.

During the visit to Teagasc, AFBI researchers also held discussions on possible further collaborations between both institutes as part of future sheep and beef research work, for the benefit of farmers and processors across the island of Ireland.

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland … serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office 

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