BullNet-Sperm biology and associated reproductive biotechnologies to assist the dairy and beef industries meet growing demands

BullNet, consisting of 8 beneficiaries and 13 associated partner organisations, will build a multi-disciplinary and inter-sectorial

research programme designed to unravel the complex underlying biology of compromised fertility of individual bulls. Cutting-edge

basic, applied and machine-learning approaches will be used to deliver a robust, flexible semen product from young, appropriately

reared and managed, first-season elite sires that can be used successfully for artificial insemination (AI) with predictable and

consistent fertility, so as to provide the industry with key tools to meet current emissions and animal welfare demands. BullNet will

also lead to the advancement of knowledge in how bull management strategies and semen processing affect the functional and

molecular characteristics of sperm, thus opening scientific horizons for new applications in the area of assisted reproduction. The

overall aim of this programme is to train a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial and innovative doctoral candidates (DCs) in the

area of bull fertility. BullNet will expose DCs to different sectors and they will acquire a comprehensive set of transferable skills

working in the specific research area relating to their individual research projects, with an emphasis on the need for technology

transfer from academic institutions to commercial users. Moreover, given the wide range of academic and industry organisations

involved, the DCs will be able to face current and future challenges in order to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for economic, technological and societal benefit.