Improved efficiency in dairy systems is a significant challenge for the future. As the pressure intensifies to reduce nitrogen (N) losses to the environment from pasture-based dairy systems, interest in perennial ryegrass white clover (PRG WC) mixtures, where more N for pasture growth is supplied by biological N fixation (BNF), has been revived. Among the main opportunities to simultaneously improve productivity and sustainability of grazing systems, the incorporation of legumes in grazing pastures to reduce reliance on chemical N application is of critical immediate importance. Equally, while there are numerous studies that show the benefits of WC in swards from an animal performance perspective, the evaluation of various transition strategies for intensive dairy systems from PRG only to PRG WC swards is an area which has received little attention and a major concern for commercial farms. Presently, there is little or no WC present on intensive commercial dairy farms. This study will be the first to document the impacts of transitioning from PRG only to PRG WC swards based on reseeding and oversowing in terms of pasture productivity and botanical composition, animal performance and farm system profitability on a wetland soil type in the border midlands region of Ireland.
This PhD position will involve researchers from both Teagasc and UCD. The position is a 4 year structured full time PhD position with responsibility for data collection, collation and analysis and publishing findings at (inter)national conferences and industry meetings.
It is envisaged that the successful graduate will begin in January 2022 and will be based at Teagasc Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland under the supervision of Dr. Brendan Horan (Teagasc) and Dr. Karina Pierce (UCD).
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