FoodBioSystems DTP funded project (at Queen’s University Belfast):Willow (Salix spp): The potential of a tannin-rich tree fodder to reduce ammonia emissions and improve productivity of dairy cattle.

Problem:
Farm productions systems face multiple challenges as animal products need to be produced with less environmental impact without affecting animal welfare. Currently, 12% of total UK ammonia (NH3) emissions come from N. Ireland and 91% of those in 2015 came from agriculture. At the same time, protein is poorly utilized as 55-95% of the ingested N is excreted via urine or faeces.

Solution:
Willow (Salix sp.) is a tree fodder contains condensed tannins and has a great potential in animal nutrition, data on UK willows are scarce. Condensed tannins:
• Reduce protein degradation in rumen and ammonia production.
• Shift nitrogen excretion from urine to faeces; an environmentally friendly nitrogen form.
• Reduce methane emissions.

Project Aim:
Evaluate the nutritive value of willow and assess its potential to reduce ammonia emissions and improve N use efficiency.
This PhD will be based mainly in Belfast (with a short period of research in Reading) and address key knowledge gaps on the use of novel feeds and this will be achieved via the following studies:

1) Assess in vitro the effect of condensed tannins in willow, on the digestive process in the rumen; via the in vitro gas production technique; at Queen’s University Belfast.
2) Optimize the ensiling process of willow; at Queen’s University Belfast and the most efficient ensiling method will be decided for the animal trials at Agri-Food and Biosciences.
3) Access the effect of inclusion the willow silage in the diet of dairy cattle on feed intake, milk production, nutrient digestibility, energy and N utilisation efficiencies and enteric methane and ammonia emissions; via an animal trial that will take place at Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute.
4) Reveal how rumen microbes influence metabolic pathways via metagenomics and metabolomics at Queen’s University Belfast and University of Reading, respectively.

Training opportunities:
Student will receive a unique multidisciplinary training in:
Scientific skills
At Queen’s University Belfast: Analytical methods for feed biochemical profile; in vitro gas production techniques; metataxonomic and metagenomic sample processing; sequencing
At University of Reading: Gas chromatography techniques for fatty acid profile of milk, feed and rumen fluid; NMR-based metabolomics
At Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute: Data and sample collection in animal metabolism trials and operation of calorimetric chambers.

Transferable skills
At Queen’s University Belfast: Careers Development Programme include interactive workshops-communicating research skills to employers, effective academic applications, preparing for job interviews-.

Student profile
This project would be suitable for candidates who have an upper second class degree in a related science (e.g. animal science, veterinary, food science, biology), and a keen interest in animal nutrition/physiology, dairy science, laboratory analyses, -omics technologies and/or bioinformatics. Good skills on reviewing literature, attention to detail, time-management, organisation, teamwork and independent learning, are also required. An MSc in relevant science would be advantageous, but not essential.

No CVs. Application form and further details available from https://research.reading.ac.uk/foodbiosystems/apply-for-a-foodbiosystems-phd/for-phd-students/.