Experience

VistaMilk SFI Research Centre

• Ireland
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Technologist

  • Oct 2020 - Present

  My research is focused on the evaluation of forage varieties in Ireland for ruminant production systems. My goal is to further develop the Teagasc Pasture Profit Index, an economic variety ranking index used by industry when selecting varieties. My research is focused on the evaluation of forage varieties in Ireland for ruminant production systems. My goal is to further develop the Teagasc Pasture Profit Index, an economic variety ranking index used by industry when selecting varieties.



Teagasc

• Ireland
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Researcher PHD Student

  • Jun 2017 - Oct 2020

  For the past 3 years I have been undertaking a PhD in Grassland Science at Teagasc Moorepark under the supervision of Dr. Michael O’Donovan (Head of Grassland Science, Teagasc) and Prof. Trevor Gilliland (AFBI and Queen’s University Belfast). My thesis is titled ‘Differential dry matter production, nutritive value and grazing utilisation of perennial ryegrass varieties and mixtures exposed to intensive grazing regimes’. I expect to have this thesis submitted in full by Autumn 2020. My research has identified that perennial ryegrass varieties differ in their ability to be grazed by livestock. Grazing efficiency of perennial ryegrass varieties refers to the proportion of herbage ingested by grazing animals relative to that presented. Poor grazing efficiency is a major source of dissatisfaction for farmers as it affects voluntary feed intake, product output of grazing animals and costs associated with correction of poorly grazed swards. Using data from this research I have developed and incorporated a new grass utilisation sub-index into the Teagasc Pasture Profit Index (PPI). The PPI is a perennial ryegrass variety selection tool used by industry to identify the most appropriate varieties for various production systems. The grass utilisation sub-index is to be included in the 2021 PPI list and will allow farmers to select perennial ryegrass varieties that offer superior performance within ruminant grazing systems.



DairyNZ

• New Zealand
• Farming
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Visiting Research Assistant

  • Sep 2019 - Dec 2019

  I was awarded the opportunity to work as part of the Forage Value Index (FVI) Evaluation study conducted by Dairy NZ. The FVI is a perennial ryegrass variety selection index developed by Dairy NZ. While partaking in the study I was able to develop new research skills in farm systems experimentation, farm systems modelling and trial sample collection and processing. I discussed with leading grassland researchers and gained a global knowledge of pastoral agricultural systems. I was awarded the opportunity to work as part of the Forage Value Index (FVI) Evaluation study conducted by Dairy NZ. The FVI is a perennial ryegrass variety selection index developed by Dairy NZ. While partaking in the study I was able to develop new research skills in farm systems experimentation, farm systems modelling and trial sample collection and processing. I discussed with leading grassland researchers and gained a global knowledge of pastoral agricultural systems.