{
  "id": 8038250,
  "title": "Bull-sci: How this agri scientist is investigating on-farm fertility",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/bull-sci-how-this-agri-scientist-is-investigating-on-farm-fertility",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-17T14:34:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Silicon Republic",
    "slug": "silicon-republic",
    "url": "https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/bull-sci-how-this-agri-scientist-is-investigating-on-farm-fertility"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UL's Professor Sean Fair is investigating bull fertility, the \"lifeblood\" of agricultural research, and utilizing AI and machine learning to advance the sector. The National Ploughing Championships 2026 in Co Offaly has been showcasing the integration of science and technology in agriculture. Fair, who grew up on a livestock farm in Galway, pursued a PhD in reproductive biology and now heads the BullNet project, a Marie Curie Doctoral Training Network focused on improving bull fertility across Europe. The project employs cutting-edge basic, applied and machine-learning approaches to understand sperm function, testis biology, and the paternal epigenetic contributions to pregnancy. Fair's research has led to the development of biomarkers and biological pathways that can predict bull fertility outcomes, benefiting both animal and human species.",
  "summary": "UL’s Prof Sean Fair discusses his research on bull fertility, the ‘life blood’ of an academic and how he’s using AI and machine learning. Read more: Bull-sci: How this agri scientist is investigating on-farm fertility",
  "key_points": [
    "Professor Sean Fair investigates bull fertility to advance agricultural research",
    "Utilizes AI and machine learning in the BullNet project across Europe",
    "Developed biomarkers predicting bull fertility outcomes benefiting animals and humans"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}