• 

  Influence of a cattle access point on temporal changes in stream turbidity

  ONeill, M.; Briciu-Burghina, C.; Jennings, E.; Antunes, P.; Ó hUallacháin, D.; Kelly-Quinn, M.; O’Sullivan, M.; Regan, F.; Environmental Protection Agency (Compuscript, 2023)

  Unrestricted cattle access can have negative impacts on aquatic systems, including increases in stream water turbidity and suspended sediment levels. Many agri-environmental policies require the exclusion of livestock from waterbodies; however, data that quantify these impacts are scarce. This study used sensors measuring turbidity, a proxy for suspended sediment, together with motion-detecting cameras, to examine the influence of cattle in-stream activity on water quality in north-east Ireland. Two nephelometers, which automatically measured and logged turbidity, were placed upstream and downstream of a cattle access point in July 2017, while cameras were used to record cattle behaviour. A second deployment was made during February 2018 when cattle were absent. During low flows, frequent short-lived increases in turbidity were recorded at the downstream nephelometer only. These coincided with cattle accessing the water. There was a significant positive relationship between the longitudinal differences (downstream − upstream) in turbidity and the total number of cattle accessing the stream. There was no relationship between turbidity and stream discharge in July (when cattle were present), although that period was dominated by lower flow levels, with only 2 days in which discharge increased above baseflow. In contrast, there were no similar short-lived increases in turbidity in February 2018 when cattle were absent from the field, but there was a strong significant positive relationship between stream discharge and turbidity. These results highlight the consequences of cattle access for water column turbidity levels, particularly during periods of low streamflow, and therefore inform future agri-environmental policy in Ireland.
• 

  Willingness to consume insects among students in France and Ireland

  Ranga, L.; Vishnumurthy, P.; Dermiki, M.; Connacht-Ulster Alliance Bursary scheme (Compuscript, 2024-01-25)

  Acceptance of insect-containing foods remains low among European consumers. This study aims to explore the factors affecting willingness to consume insects among students in two European countries with different culinary traditions, namely France and Ireland. An online survey was developed and distributed in both countries, with 183 participants (France: n = 103; Ireland: n = 80) included in total. While more participants in France (43.7%) had a positive opinion of entomophagy compared to the ones in Ireland (21.3%), no significant difference was found in their willingness to consume insects for the first time. When given information on the approval of insects as a novel food in Europe, students in France were significantly more willing to consume insects than students in Ireland. For both groups, food neophobia and disgust were impediments to entomophagy. Moreover, males older than 30 yr enrolled in engineering courses, not following a specific diet, more concerned about the environment and health and less about familiarity, culture and religion were the most willing to consume insects. Participants in France and Ireland were more willing to consume insects if they were tasty or disguised (invisible) in another product and not if they were presented in their usual form (‘whole’). This case study shows that entomophagy acceptance is affected by the characteristics of the products, food neophobia, disgust and food choice motives of the consumers, while the impact of information on regulation is country dependent. These findings could be the starting point to guide the development of insect-containing foods acceptable to consumers in Europe.
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  Reassessing the warming impact of methane emissions from Irish livestock using GWP*: historical trends and sustainable futures

  McKenna, P.; Banwart, S. (Compuscript, 2024-01-20)

  Methane from livestock production contributes significantly to Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. Methane emissions are generally expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) using the global warming potential (GWP) metric, but this conversion may result in an inaccurate assessment, because methane has a much shorter atmospheric lifespan than CO2. This study calculated the CO2e of methane emissions from Irish livestock using the GWP and GWP* metrics, the latter of which accounts for the short-lived nature of atmospheric methane. Methane emissions from all Irish livestock (1961–2020) were included and three projected scenarios to 2050 were hypothesised: increasing emissions, decreasing emissions and constant emissions. The CO2e of methane from Irish livestock was found to be influenced by changes in the rate of emission over the preceding decades. Using the GWP* metric, declining populations of donkeys and horses from 1961 to 2000 were shown to cause atmospheric removals of methane when expressed as CO2e. Increasing populations of swine and non-dairy cattle (in response to industrial changes and European Union [EU] regulations) saw significant increases in the CO2e of methane emissions from these sources. Milk quotas caused a significant reduction in the CO2e of methane emissions from dairy cows, and atmospheric removals were observed in the years 1990–2012. GWP* indicated that the constant and decreasing future emission scenarios gave more significant reductions in CO2e than the GWP. These results indicate the importance of the effect of emission rate on the CO2e of methane from Irish livestock, which is accounted for using GWP*, but not by the conventional GWP.
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  Ammonia emission factors from cattle production systems in Ireland – a review

  Owusu-Twum, M. Y.; Kelleghan, D.; Gleasure, G.; Forrestal, P.; Lanigan, G. J.; Richards, K. G.; Krol, D. J.; DAFM; 2019R554 (Compuscript, 2024-01-19)

  Ammonia (NH3) emissions from livestock production contribute to environmental pollution. To address this challenge, the European Union (EU) National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive 2016/2284 (NECD) sets NH3 reduction targets for EU member states. In order to achieve these targets, several strategies have been evaluated under Irish conditions. A compilation of emission factors (EFs) from studies which evaluated these strategies is necessary to assess their effectiveness. This paper reports NH3 EFs from cattle production under Irish conditions. The results from the review show that the mean EFs from the deposition of dung, urine and urea applied to urine patches on grasslands were 4%, 9% and 8% total nitrogen (TN), respectively. EFs from the application of urea to urine patches were reduced by 28% after the addition of the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) to urea. The mean EF of 28% TN reported for urea fertiliser was almost 7 times higher than calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN). The inclusion of urease inhibitors with urea fertilisation on grassland led to EF reduction of up to 86%. The mean EFs from cattle houses, concrete yards, slurry storage pits and slurry landspreading were approximately 13%, 35%, 60% and 59% total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN), respectively. The most effective NH3 abatement strategies for concrete yards and slurry storage were immediate cleaning of concrete floors (up to 89% reduction) after excreta deposition and the application of chemical amendments (sulphuric acid, acetic acid, alum and ferric chloride) to slurry in storage pits (up to 98% reduction), respectively. Low-emission spreading strategies and slurry acidification were effective at abating EFs after slurry application to land.
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  The effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser application rate and strategy on herbage production and nitrogen response in spring

  Walsh, S.; Bonnard, L.; Ruelle, E.; O’Donovan, M.; McKay, Z.C.; Egan, M. (Compuscript, Ltd., 2024-09-17)

  Maximising herbage yield while reducing nitrogen (N) fertiliser input, particularly in spring, is essential to ensure environmental and economic sustainability on grassland farms. A plot experiment was conducted over 2 yr, comparing three different spring N application rates of 30 (30N), 60 (60N) and 90 (90N) kg N/ha using three different spring application strategies: 0:100 (S1), 50:50 (S2) or a 33:66 (S3) split across February and March, respectively. Half of the plots also received phosphorus (P) fertiliser with the first application of N at a rate of 13 kg P/ha. Nitrogen fertiliser application for the remainder of the year (April–September) was the same for all plots (23 kg N/ha/application). Both spring and cumulative herbage yields were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by N application rate; 90N had the greatest spring and cumulative herbage yield compared to 30N and 60N (10,925, 9,834 and 10,499 kg DM/ha, respectively); however, N response reduced as N application rate increased. Nitrogen application strategy had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on spring herbage yield, with S1 significantly lower than S2 and S3. Applying 13 kg P/ha in spring increased herbage yield at defoliations 2 (23 April) and 3 (15 May) (+133 and 56 kg DM/ha, respectively), relative to no application of P fertiliser, as well as increasing cumulative herbage yield (+241 kg DM/ha). The results of the current study indicate that N should be applied in early February and the strategic application of N and P during spring can increase spring and cumulative herbage yield.
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  Estimating conservation value and natural capital value of land cover classes in the Irish National Land Cover Map and application to a case study area

  Ruas, S.; Finn, J.A.; Ó hUallacháin, D.; Carlier, J.; Doyle, M.; Moran, J.; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; 2019R425 (Compuscript, Ltd., 2024-08-27)

  Conservation science and planning, by measuring proxies of biodiversity and ecosystem services provision, aim to identify priority areas for nature conservation and ecosystem services. In Ireland, fine-scale data on ecosystems functioning and biodiversity are limited, making it challenging to map conservation value (CV) and natural capital value (NCV) accurately. We elicited expert knowledge to rank habitat classes mapped in the recently published National Land Cover Map (NLCM) (EPA and Tailte Éireann, 2023). A scoring system from 0 to 10 was used to score habitats based on their estimated provision of biodiversity (CV) and ecosystem services (NCV). As a case study, we applied this scoring system to a catchment in the south-east of Ireland (>2,000 km2) with land cover information available from the draft NLCM. The expert elicitation showed little overall difference between the scores assigned by the team and the experts invited to validate the CV and NCV scores. However, some scores were revised based on experts’ contributions. Results of the mapping exercise indicated a high correlation between monads with high CV and high NCV scores. Future work should focus on differentiating the weighting assigned to each ecosystem service associated with each land cover class. This could result in changes in the overall NCV scores assigned to each habitat (and monads). Nevertheless, the approach developed here has the potential to identify areas in the landscape that should be targeted for conservation. For reproducibility, we provide the R code for analysis at polygon scale.
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  Exploring the presence of genotype-by-environment interactions between dairy cow herds milking once-a-day or twice-a-day for the entire lactation

  Berry, D.P.; Hilliard, B.; McCarthy, J.; Kennedy, E.; Science Foundation Ireland; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Vistamilk; 16/RC/3835 (Compuscript, Ltd., 2024-07-05)

  The objective was to explore if the regression of phenotypic performance for six milk production traits on the respective estimate of genetic merit for that trait differed by herd milking frequency; variance components for each trait in the two milking frequency environments were also estimated as well as the genetic correlation between the same trait in both environments. The data used included 12,581 lactations from 5,456 cows in 32 spring-calving once-a-day (OAD) milking herds. Each OAD herd was matched with three contemporary twice-a-day (TAD)-milking herds; 35,823 lactations from 15,188 cows in 96 TAD herds were used. Mean yield was 20% (fat yield) to 31% (milk yield) lower in OAD herds. Milk protein concentration was 11% higher in OAD herds, while milk fat concentration was 16% higher in OAD herds. The mean back-transformed somatic cell score (SCS) was 100,390 cells/mL in OAD herds and 72,493 cells/mL in TAD herds. The association between each milk production trait and its respective estimate of genetic merit differed by herd milking frequency; the estimated regression coefficients were larger in TAD for just milk yield and SCS. The genetic correlation between the same trait in OAD versus TAD was all ≥0.73 with the exception of SCS (genetic correlation of 0.48) which suggests some re-ranking of sires between environments. In conclusion, differences in the scale of the genetic variance were evident for both milking frequencies and possible re-ranking was evident for SCS.
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  The first survey using high-throughput sequencing of cereal and barley yellow dwarf viruses in Irish spring and winter barley crops

  Byrne, S.; Schughart, M.; Ballandras, V.; Carolan, J.C.; Sheppard, L.; McNamara, L.; Teagasc Walsh Scholarships; 2021-A-374 (Compuscript, Ltd., 2024-06-25)

  Yellow dwarf viruses (YDVs) are the most economically important plant viruses impacting cereal production worldwide and include viruses from the genus Luteovirus (e.g., barely yellow dwarf virus (BYDV)-PAV, BYDV-PAS, BYDV-MAV, BYDV-kerII, BYDV-kerIII) and Polerovirus (e.g., cereal yellow dwarf virus (CYDV)-RPV, CYDV-RPS). Until now, much of our knowledge on YDVs infecting Irish barley crops (Hordeum vulgare L.) has come from serological assays; however, due to cross-reactivity it can be difficult to discriminate between viruses of different species. In this study, we have carried out a high-throughput sequencing survey of symptomatic crops, positive with serological assays, to identify YDVs infecting Irish spring and winter barley crops and establish reference genomes to support further development of molecular surveillance tools. In total, RNA was extracted from 45 symptomatic crop samples that were collected across Ireland over 2 yr and sequenced following rRNA depletion. Three samples of barley plants from BYDV-infected aphid colonies were also included. BYDV-MAV was identified in all field samples sequenced. This confirms previous evidence based on serological assays that BYDV-MAV is the dominant YDV in Irish barley crops. We have also identified BYDV-PAS in 29% of symptomatic field samples, the first report of this species in Ireland. In addition, BYDV-PAV was also found, and crop samples with mixed infections were common; although in mixed infections the greatest proportion of YDV reads originated from BYDV-MAV. Finally, CYDV-RPS, the more severe variant of CYDV-RPV belonging to the genus Polerovirus, was identified in a single sample. The complete genomes, assembled from this first sequence-based survey, will enable the development of molecular surveillance tools with greater virus specificity, to further support the Irish aphid and YDV monitoring network.
• 

  Influence of a cattle access point on temporal changes in stream turbidity

  ONeill, M.; Briciu-Burghina, C.; Jennings, E.; Antunes, P.; Ó hUallacháin, D.; Kelly-Quinn, M.; O’Sullivan, M.; Regan, F.; Environmental Protection Agency (Compuscript, 2023)

  Unrestricted cattle access can have negative impacts on aquatic systems, including increases in stream water turbidity and suspended sediment levels. Many agri-environmental policies require the exclusion of livestock from waterbodies; however, data that quantify these impacts are scarce. This study used sensors measuring turbidity, a proxy for suspended sediment, together with motion-detecting cameras, to examine the influence of cattle in-stream activity on water quality in north-east Ireland. Two nephelometers, which automatically measured and logged turbidity, were placed upstream and downstream of a cattle access point in July 2017, while cameras were used to record cattle behaviour. A second deployment was made during February 2018 when cattle were absent. During low flows, frequent short-lived increases in turbidity were recorded at the downstream nephelometer only. These coincided with cattle accessing the water. There was a significant positive relationship between the longitudinal differences (downstream − upstream) in turbidity and the total number of cattle accessing the stream. There was no relationship between turbidity and stream discharge in July (when cattle were present), although that period was dominated by lower flow levels, with only 2 days in which discharge increased above baseflow. In contrast, there were no similar short-lived increases in turbidity in February 2018 when cattle were absent from the field, but there was a strong significant positive relationship between stream discharge and turbidity. These results highlight the consequences of cattle access for water column turbidity levels, particularly during periods of low streamflow, and therefore inform future agri-environmental policy in Ireland.
• 

  The sensegiving role of advisors in farmer decision-making

  Hayden, M.T.; Mattimoe, R.; Jack, L.; Teagasc (Compuscript, 2023-11-24)

  In Ireland, and in several other countries around the world, a situation of economic vulnerability exists for many farmers. Alongside this economic vulnerability, the farm management literature acknowledges that most farmers spend little time on financial management. In this context, we argue that farm advisory services have the potential to add value to the farming community by assisting farmers to make informed financial decisions, to combat these economic challenges. In this study, the role of professional advisors in the strategic financial decisionmaking process of farmers is explored to develop an understanding of how farmers avail of advice from, and interact with, farm advisors. A qualitative research approach of 27 semi-structured interviews and a focus group is adopted to explore the strategic financial decision-making process of farmers. The application of sensemaking theory helps us understand how advisors provide a sensegiving role in the farmer’s decision-making process. The evidence gathered identifies numerous professional advice sources that provide this sensegiving role in the strategic financial decision-making process of farmers but contends that two sources, accountants and agricultural consultants, appear most prominent. This study also reveals that the use of specific advice sources is strongly influenced by the type of strategic decision undertaken and the farm type in operation. The results provide an opportunity for policymakers, and those who provide advisory services to farmers, to reflect on how best to create an environment where farmers and farm advisors can work together, to develop sustainable farm enterprises which can contribute to rural development.
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  Labour self-sufficiency on family dairy farms in Ireland: a case study approach considering labour requirement, input and management

  Gormley, M.; Deming, J.; Hogan, C.; O’Brien, B.; Beecher, Marion; Gormley, Martina; Dairy Research Ireland; MKLS0369 (Compuscript, 2023-10-28)

  The efficient use of labour input is essential to the success of farms; however, many countries are experiencing a decreasing family workforce on-farm as a result of perceived labour intensive work and poor work–life balance. Four farms identified from two labour time-use studies were selected as case studies to investigate management of the family dairy farm in terms of herd size, while also meeting the labour requirements and maintaining a satisfactory work–life balance. A mixed methods approach was used; quantitative analysis described the labour profile and characteristics of the farms, while the qualitative interviews provided insights into strategies to achieve labour efficiency. The results demonstrate that a family farm with a herd size of ∼120 cows with appropriate facilities and streamlined practices can operate effectively with a total labour input of 2,986 h/yr. The labour contributed by the farmer and the farm family represented 77.5% of the total annual labour requirement. Contractors or hired employees contributed the remaining labour input, depending on individual circumstances. The annual average working day length for the farmer (excluding breaks) was 7.8 h/d. The analysed narratives of the farmers demonstrated their view that a seasonal, pasture-based spring calving system of production is a key influence in achieving relatively high labour efficiency on-farm, if it is ensured that the peak workload in spring is managed effectively. The study highlights that the overall labour demand can be reduced on Irish family farms through the management of facilities and practices. The farmer and family members can then decide on the degree of self-sufficiency with regard to labour, that is, what proportion of that labour they wish to contribute based on their lifestyle choices, cost and availability of contractors and hired workers.
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  A note on the impact of CYP51 alterations and their combination in the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici on sensitivity to the azole fungicides epoxiconazole and metconazole

  Kildea, S.; Dooley, H.; Byrne, S.; Teagasc (Compuscript, 2023-10-12)

  Septoria tritici blotch caused by the fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici is the most economically damaging disease of winter wheat in Ireland. As azoles have been intensively used, Z. tritici has developed different means of resisting their toxic effects with multiple alterations now reported in individual strains. Using previously characterised Irish collections of Z. tritici, the relationships between these different alterations have been examined using conditional inference trees and random forest. The results from this study highlight the importance of specific alterations I381V and S524T, with both contributing most to the reductions in epoxiconazole (EPZ) and metconazole (MTZ) sensitivity. As the azole class of fungicides is an extensive and diverse group, it is possible these alterations do not impact other azoles in a similar manner. Further analysis of these and contemporary collections to additional azoles, including mefentrifluconazole, which continues to provide good field control of Z. tritici, is warranted.
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  Utilising commercial farm grass growth data to evaluate long-term dry matter production of perennial ryegrass varieties

  Hearn, C.; Egan, M.; Lynch, M.B.; Tubritt, T.; O’Leary, M.; Geoghegan, A.; O’Donovan, M.; VistaMilk; 16/RC/3835 (Compuscript, 2023-07-08)

  Little data are currently available on either the dry matter (DM) production of perennial ryegrass (PRG) swards as they age beyond 5 yr (i.e. permanent pasture) or the performance of PRG varieties on commercial grassland farms. Previous work has generally assumed a connection between DM production and ground score (GS) and this link has been used as a proxy for variety persistence. The evolution of technology in the form of PastureBase Ireland has led to agronomic data of individual paddocks being made available for analysis over multiple years which has allowed the long-term assessment of varieties sown as monocultures on commercial farms. This technology allowed for the inclusion of eight PRG varieties sown in 649 paddocks across 101 farms in Ireland in the current analysis. The results show little association between GS and variety DM production as varieties age to 7 yr. Dry matter production of 1- to 4-yr-old swards appeared to provide a strong indication of variety DM production in years 5–7 post-sowing (r = 0.72, P < 0.05). The interaction of variety and sward age was not associated with DM production. Generally, varieties which produced the most DM in younger swards also produced the most DM in permanent pasture swards. Over longer-term periods these variety differences can manifest into large differences in DM produced and consumed on farm. The current analysis suggests that the long-term production benefits of utilising improved PRG varieties in pasture reseeding may be underestimated.
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  Genetic and phenotypic trends for carcass traits in Irish beef cattle

  Mulhall, S.A.; Sleator, R.D.; Evans, R.D.; Twomey, A.J.; Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine; DAIRY4BEEF (Compuscript, 2023-07-08)

  Animals subjected to intensive genetic selection require continuous monitoring to observe changes in economically important traits. The focus of this research was to estimate genetic and phenotypic trends for carcass traits for three genotypes: dairy dam and dairy sire (D×D), dairy dam and beef sire (D×B) and beef dam and beef sire (B×B). Linear regression models were used to generate genetic and phenotypic trends for carcass weight, conformation and fat score for both cows and prime animals (i.e. never parented an animal). Phenotypic trends for age at slaughter were also estimated in prime animals. Results indicated that carcass weight increased genetically by 1.1 kg per year for B×B animals, but decreased by 0.14 and 0.39 kg per year for D×B and D×D animals, respectively. Phenotypic trends reflected the genetic trends for carcass weight for D×B and B×B animals, but the decline in genetic trends for carcass weight for D×D animals was not replicated in their phenotypic trends. Carcass conformation declined genetically by 0.02 and 0.05 units per year for D×D and D×B animals, respectively, and increased by 0.05 units per year for B×B animals. Phenotypic trends for conformation were similar to genetic trends. Carcass fat showed a decrease genetically for D×D and B×B, but remained constant for D×B animals, although this was not reflected in the phenotypic trends. Age at slaughter decreased phenotypically for all genotypes. Current breeding programmes have a favourable impact on carcass traits for B×B animals, but an unfavourable trend was observed for D×D and D×B animals.
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  Consumer 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.; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; 13/SN/401; 11/SF/322 (Teagasc, 2023)

  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.
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  Linear type trait genetic trends in Irish Holstein-Friesian dairy animals

  Berry, Donagh; Ring, S.C.; Kelleher, M.M.; Science Foundation Ireland; Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine; 16/RC/3835 (Teagasc, 2022-11-04)

  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.
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  Irish cattle farmers’ experiences and perceptions of negative framing of farm animal welfare in the media

  Duley, A.; Connor, M.; Vigors, B. (Teagasc, 2022-11-04)

  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.
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  A 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. (Teagasc, 2022-11-07)

  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.
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  Solutions to enteric methane abatement in Ireland

  Cummins, S.; Lanigan, G.J.; Richards, K.G.; Boland, T.M.; Kirwan, S.F.; Smith, P.E.; Waters, S.M.; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Teagasc, 2022-11-10)

  The efficiency of Ireland’s grass-based livestock systems can be attributed to high outputs, low production costs and a low carbon footprint relative to housed systems. Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) of which enteric fermentation from livestock production is a key source, being directly responsible for 57% of Irish agricultural GHG emissions. There are a number of strategies including dietary manipulation and breeding initiatives that have shown promising results as potential mitigation solutions for ruminant livestock production. However, the majority of international research has predominantly been conducted on confined systems. Given the economic viability of Irish livestock systems, it is vital that any mitigation methods are assessed at pasture. Such research cannot be completed without access to suitable equipment for measuring CH4 emissions at grazing. This review documents the current knowledge capacity in Ireland (publications and projects) and includes an inventory of equipment currently available to conduct research. A number of strategic research avenues are identified herein that warrant further investigation including breeding initiatives and dietary manipulation. It was notable that enteric CH4 research seems to be lacking in Ireland as it constituted 14% of Irish agricultural GHG research publications from 2016 to 2021. A number of key infrastructural deficits were identified including respiration chambers (there are none currently operational in the Republic of Ireland) and an urgent need for more pasture-based GreenFeed™ systems. These deficits will need to be addressed to enable inventory refinement, research progression and the development of effective solutions to enteric CH4 abatement in Ireland.
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  Evaluating the timing of insecticide application to manage barley yellow dwarf virus and yield in winter barley

  Walsh, L. E.; Lacey, S.; Doyle, D.; Gaffney, M. T.; Mc Namara, L.; Department of Agriculture, Fod and the MArine; 14/s/879 (Teagasc, 2022-11-30)

  Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is an important viral disease of grain crops worldwide and a major cause of yield loss. The risk periods for BYDV infection coincide with milder temperature that prolongs aphid flight and facilitates viral transmission through primary and secondary aphid movement in the crop. Secondary aphid movement is associated with greater BYDV spread in winter cereals. A critical component of BYDV management is therefore delaying sowing of winter cereals and correctly timing insecticide application to maximise crop protection. Previous research in Ireland considered insecticide timing in early (September) and late (October onwards) sown cereals. Early research did not consider action thresholds around temperature, aphid flight and risk of secondary spread. This research set out to understand the optimal timing of insecticide application in October sown winter barley to reduce BYDV infection and yield impact. A critical temperature of 3°C was used as a threshold for aphid development that leads to movement and BYDV spread, and insecticide treatments were applied to the crop at predictable intervals in relation to temperature. Results show that BYDV symptoms and yield are affected by spray time, location and year, although only significant with regard to the reduction of BYDV symptoms. For both BYDV symptoms and yield, there was a significant difference between untreated (control) plots and “early” and “late” applications of insecticide, again more notable for BYDV symptoms than yield. This work indicates the value of optimising a single insecticide spray for control of October sown cereals and supports decision-making in the management of cereal crops.

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