Teagasc Msc Walsh Scholarship Opportunity: Optimizing Grazing Infrastructure On Dairy And Beef Farms

Master's & postgraduate Teagasc Msc Walsh Scholarship Opportunity: Optimizing Grazing Infrastructure On Dairy And Beef Farms

Deadline: 5 August 2022

  1. Background

Increasing grass utilization is a key driver in increasing net profit and farm sustainability on grassland farms. Improved grassland management relies upon robust grazing infrastructure, that is; appropriately sized paddocks with multiple access points, serviced by roadways of sufficient quality and an adequate supply of drinking water.

Grazing infrastructure is generally underdeveloped on many grassland farms. Appropriate partitioning of the grazing area allows ease of management and maximum  efficiency in allocating  forage  for  grazing  livestock. 

Farm roadway networks can undermine management due to inadequate configuration, length, width or condition while  water  supply can  be  compromised  by inadequate source, pipe network, or trough capacity. A significant increase in herd sizes, particularly in dairy enterprises since the abolition of milk quotas, has rendered existing grazing infrastructure wholly inadequate for current stock numbers.

The restrictions placed on grassland  management  by inappropriate grazing infrastructure have not yet been quantified, while associated financial and labour costs are unknown. This project will quantify costs associated with current infrastructure status on a range of dairy and beef farms and implement improvement strategies for both the partitioning of grazing area into  paddocks  and  the  provision  of roadway  infrastructure and drinking  water. 

Current infrastructure deficits hinder effective grassland management and animal performance significantly and therefore drastically reduce efficiencies on grassland farms. Pasture base Ireland has highlighted that there is significant scope for increases in herbage production, through improved grassland management and  grazing  infrastructure.   

This  research  aims  to  categorize  a  selection  of  farms  in  terms  of  current infrastructure status, outline key deficits in current infrastructure and assess financial and labour costs associated with inadequate infrastructure. Furthermore, it will establish best practice in infrastructure design specification.

II. Requirements

  • The work programme of the student will involve a blend of course-work, experimental design, modelling, data collection, data analysis and networking with experts in the field.
  • Applications are invited from graduates holding a first or upper second-class primary degree in a relevant discipline (Agricultural Science; Biosystems, Environmental or Civil Engineering; Computer Science; or any related disciplines).
  • The candidate will also have the opportunity to identify the practical implications of their research results on farm management and will have the opportunity to speak at international scientific conferences.
  • A full EU driving licence is required.
  1. Award
  • The MSc Scholarship is a joint research project between the Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark and Munster Technological University(MTU).
  • The student will be based at Teagasc Moorepark and will be registered at MTU, working under the supervision of Drs Pat Tuohy, Michael Egan, (Teagasc) and Dr Michael Murphy(MTU).
  • The scholarship funding is €24,000 per annum and includes University fees of up to a maximum of €6,000 per annum and is tenable for 2 years.
  1. How to Apply?

Applicants should submit a CV and covering letter detailing their qualifications and experience to Pat Tuohy ([email protected])and Michael Murphy([email protected])

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