DARD Directed AFBI Research Projects 2011
Project Reference / Project Title / Goals of Project / Anticipated End Date of Project11/1/02 / Optimisation of the quality of a novel reduced-fat Cheddar cheese fortified with omega-3 fatty acids / The project aims to investigate the physiochemical, microbiological and technical aspects of a reduced fat Cheddar cheese fortified with omega-3 fatty acids: / July 2014
11/1/06 / Identify the limiting factors in beef and sheep systems and undertaking research to underpin improved biological efficiency and financial performance to support productivity, sustainability and competitiveness. / The aim of this proposal is to provide tools to monitor key performance indicators for the Northern Ireland beef and sheep industries and in doing so will identify and quantify, on a near real-time basis, the limiting factors in beef and sheep production systems in Northern Ireland. Research will be undertaken to underpin improved production efficiency, thereby improving the competitiveness and environmental impact of the red-meat sector. / March 2014
11/1/08 / Investigation of methods to improve the efficient use of feed by pigs / This project aims to optimise the use of diets pre and post weaning. These are the most expensive diets that pigs are offered and therefore the optimisation of their use, without compromising the lifetime performance of pigs is critical. The work planned within this objective will examine:
- Opportunities to reduce the amount of diet offered
- The use of alternative feed ingredients in starter diets
- The effect of eliminating expensive processing stages e.g. cooking
- The optimum method of offering the diet
11/1/11 / Identification of economically viable and sustainable uses of digestate from anaerobic digestion / The overall objective of this project is to determine the benefits (economic and environmental) of using digestate as an organic fertiliser for herbage production. / May 2014
11/1/13 / Improving sustainability, economic performance and competiveness of the Northern Ireland dairy sector through improved feed resource use and improved biological efficiency, and the establishment of a genomic DNA bank and database / On many Northern Ireland dairy farms the cost effective use of quality forage resources has been replaced by an over reliance on concentrates, resulting in higher-cost, less-profitable and environmentally less sustainable dairy systems. The overall objectives of the work covered by this proposal are summarised under four broad strands:
Strand 1: Develop concentrate allocation strategies which optimise the economic return from concentrate and forage resources during the winter months
Strand 2: Develop management regimes, with a special focus on the high yielding cow, which optimise feed resource use during the summer period
Strand 3: Improve the robustness of an existing grass growth prediction model, and validation of the model using actual grass growth and meteorological data from sites across NI
Strand 4: Identify associations between genomic variation and documented phenotypic characteristics to improve biological efficiency through enhanced selection criteria. / March 2014
Project Reference / Project Title / Goals of Project / Anticipated End Date of Project
11/1/15 / Assessment of weather-related and other risks, including disease, to farm businesses and evidence to inform risk mitigation/management strategies and policy on hardship policies / The objectives of this research programme are to: -
- Collate relevant Northern Ireland yield, quality, economic and weather data from AFBI research sites and variety trials, CAFRE Benchmarking data, DARD Census and Farm Business Data and the Met Office.
- Review the available data in Northern Ireland to quantify variations in crop and animal performance within and between years, including secondary effects such as increased disease incidence, effects on animal welfare, crop storage, quality and shelf life, to enable the magnitude of the effects of past and future extreme weather related events to be gauged.
- Assess the local data in the light of international literature on the effects of extreme weather events on agriculture and relevant mitigation strategies.
- Review locally applicable strategies to mitigate physical and financial losses of the cattle and sheep sectors in the event of extreme weather events (drought, high rainfall, extremes in temperature).
11/1/17 / A study of attitudes to knowledge exchange and barriers to adoption of new policies/technologies within the Northern Ireland agri-food sector / The aim of this project is to provide a better understanding of attitudes to knowledge and technology exchange and adoption in the Northern Ireland agri-food sector and to help identify best practice for communicating information to enable improved uptake and adoption of new policies and technologies to improve performance in the marketplace. In doing so, industry’s role in the process will be assessed. / March 2012
11/2/01 / Rural Households’ Experience of Access to Public Services in Northern Ireland / The trend within rural areas over the past number of years has been both a centralisation and reduction in the level of key public services. Furthermore, there has been a decline in public service provision in rural areas in light of the current economic downturn and restraint on public sector expenditure. Over time, this has resulted in many rural areas, particular those in more remote locations, losing local provision of vital services such as hospitals, schools, further/higher education and banking services. This research will attempt to explore what the relevant response from government should be in order to ensure that access to key services in rural areas is equitable i.e. that there is an equivalence with the current and future provision of services in urban areas, keeping in mind that the nature of policy solutions in rural areas could be quite different to those that are most appropriate in urban areas. / May 2012
Project Reference / Project Title / Goals of Project / Anticipated End Date of Project
11/2/02 / Skills, Education and Training Within the Land -Based Food and Rural Sectors. / This study will examine how decisions to invest in education, impact on career choice and earnings for farm and non-farm households.The main objectives of this study are:
- To examine educational attainment levels amongst farm operators and their spouses.
- At a farm household level, to analyse how decisions to invest in education impact on household income and farm investment and structure.
- To compare educational attainment and returns to education for farm and non-farm households (urban and rural) and examine those factors which may impact on attainment for those living in rural areas.
- To evaluate whether education and skills attainment matches the demand for education and skills by employers, with particular emphasis on the agri-food sector.
11/2/03 / Resources in Spatial Rural Economic Development / The main objective of the project is to develop a detailed understanding of the dynamics of this economic growth/decline in accessible and remote rural areas. In particular, this research will examine the causes of spatial differences in population and employment growth and how this impacts the delivery of government services. / November 2014
11/2/04 / Joint Production in Agriculture
(FT- 0919) / This project will employ farm business models to examine the joint production of market and non-market goods in agriculture. Farmers normally obtain a substantial proportion of their income from the production of market goods, such as, milk, beef, and lamb. However, linked to the production of these market goods are non-market goods, for which no market exists, whose production may be unintended, and that may have a positive or negative impact on social welfare. Examples of non-market goods in agriculture include: landscape, biodiversity, animal health, water quality, greenhouse gas emission, and carbon sequestration. Although, these goods are generally produced as either positive or negative externalities i.e. producers neither receive direct monetary benefits nor incur penalties, they may in some cases result from farmer preference.The aim of this project is to provide essential and reliable information on joint production of market goods and non-market goods at farm level. This information can be used to better design public policies by assessing their impact on farming systems, farm profitability, and wider society. / March 2014
Project Reference / Project Title / Goals of Project / Anticipated End Date of Project
11/2/05 / Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services (FT 0916) / Recognition of the multi-functional nature of agriculture has led to a shift in the emphasis of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) away from production-based payments towards the environment and rural development. Potential exists for these environmental objectives to be expanded (“greening” of the CAP) under the new programming period, 2014-2020. This research aims to identify whether the impact of the schemes on the landscape contribute to public welfare by determining the economic value and to investigate the public acceptability of alternative agri-environment schemes. This will recognise their contribution to a sustainable environment and a diverse rural economy and assist in future policy development. / March 2013
11/2/06 / Linkages of Agri-Food Sectors to the wider economy and the environment (FT-0914) / The study will use a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modeling approach to systematically capture the linkages between local agri-food sectors, the wider economy and the physical environment. This advanced modeling system will then be used to analyze impacts on the agri-food sector and the physical environment of the changing economic and policy environment. The study will develop an NI CGE model – a first for the region – and apply the model in analyzing economic (output, income and employment effects) and environmental (emissions) impacts of changing agri-food and energy and general policies. / March 2014
11/3/02 / An assessment of the level of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes in NI / This project aims to survey red foxes in NI for the presence or absence of the tapeworm parasite Echinococcusmultilocularis. / March 2013
11/3/04 / Survival of Avian Influenza in composted poultry litter / The overall objectives of this project are to identify an effective method for composting the major type of poultry litter/ manure/ feed mixture in use in NI and GB poultry production and to provide experimental evidence using small- and large-scale experimental studies that avian influenza virus is inactivated by said composting method. / June 2013
11/3/05 / Identifying optimum humane slaughter methods for poultry in the event of an epizootic outbreak / The overall objective of this project is to evaluate different slaughter methods for poultry in the event of an epizootic outbreak. These methods will be evaluated using the following criteria: disease control and biosecurity, animal welfare, health and safety implications and practicality/cost. / March 2012
11/3/06 / Solutions for the mushroom industry to emerging disease threats Mushroom Virus X and Trichoderma / Although buoyant the Irish mushroom industry has been badly hit over the past five to ten years by disease outbreaks, principally Compost Green Mould, caused by the fungus Trichoderma aggressivum, and Mushroom Virus X (MVX), caused by an uncharacterised virus complex. The overall objectives of this project are to identify underlying substrate and environmental factors that impact on mushroom disease expression and gain increased knowledge of how they are spread within the production systems. This knowledge will lead to improved control strategies and a reduction in economic losses. / December 2014
Project Reference / Project Title / Goals of Project / Anticipated End Date of Project
11/3/07 / Development of molecular diagnostic techniques for quarantine and emerging plant pathogens. / The project will review the currently available diagnostic methods for key plant pathogens and where appropriate, modify existing protocols or develop new methods for detection and identification. These improved validated methods and procedures will enable DARDNI/AFBI to more efficiently detect and identify outbreaks/incidences of plant health pathogens, enable more effective epidemiological investigations and monitor any eradication or control measures set in place. / March 2014
11/3/09 / Improvement of detection and diagnosis of Phytophthora ramorum and study of ramorum disease, particularly in larch. (FT) / The overall aim of the project is to improve the detection and diagnosis of P. ramorum in woody tissue and using these tools to study the epidemiology particularly in response to the current outbreak on Japanese larch. / April 2014
11/3/10 / An evaluation of interferon-gamma (IFN-g) testing for bovine TB in Northern Ireland (FT) / The aim of this project is to undertake an evaluation of the IFN-g test as currently implemented in NI in order to quantify the usefulness of the test to detect additional bTB infected animals. This will include an evaluation of factors that influence test results such as animal age, sex, and breed as well as herd factors such as bTB test history, location and size. / December 2013
11/3/11 / Development and application of improved virus discovery systems and assessment of the potential of pen-side detection methods for emerging, endemic or exotic viral infections of farm animals / The overall aims of this project is to have expanded and developed virology methods and technologies for detection and characterisation of viral agents in agricultural animal species in Northern Ireland, with applicability for rapid identification of endemic and exotic viruses as well as for “horizon scanning” for “novel”/emerging virus threats to the industry. / March 2013
11/3/S1 / Interactions between badgers and cattle in the rural environment - implications for bovine tuberculosis transmission / The project will investigate badger-cattle and cattle-cattle interaction at the farm level, in pasture and near or in cattle housing, food stores and yards.
It will combine standard and innovative techniques including the live-capture of badgers, bait marking, farm surveys, remote surveillance of farmyards, tracking badger movement via GPS collars and determining inter / intra-specific interactions using recently developed proximity detectors. This will deliver a project that assesses the level of interaction and requirement for the development of mitigation strategies to minimise wildlife-livestock contact and improve farm bio-security should that be necessary. / January 2014
Project Reference / Project Title / Goals of Project / Anticipated End Date of Project
11/4/01 / Dietary strategies to reduce the excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus from broiler chicken production / This programme of researchwill provide information to DARD Policy for future review and/or modification of the NI Nitrates Action Programme and for the implementation of IPPC regulations. Ultimately, it is planned to reduce the excretion of N and P from broiler production through adoption of the findings from this programme of research.
The aims of the proposed project are to:
- Develop a more sustainable environment - completion of the work programme will contribute to a more sustainable environment through reduced N and P excretion.
- Improve performance in the market place for broiler producers.
- Strengthen the social and economic infrastructure of rural areas through strengthening of the poultry industry which is the largest private employer in NI.
- Enhance animal health and welfare through providing diets which are optimum in N and P for broilers.
11/4/02 / The potential for urea plus a urease inhibitor to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from grassland compared with CAN (calcium ammonium nitrate) while maintaining sward production / The overall objective to which this project will contribute is the reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture in Northern Ireland (in compliance with UK and EU legislation) and the generation of information enabling the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to assign more accurate emission factors for N2O losses from grassland under mild wet climatic conditions. / May 2013
11/4/03 / Efficacy of Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) measures for improving nutrient-use efficiency and sustaining the productivity of grass-based agriculture in Northern Ireland. (FT) / To evaluate the impact and effectiveness of specific aspects of the NI NAP in addressing water quality problems caused by agriculture and identify strategies for improving nutrient efficiency. / March 2014
11/4/04 / Management, production economics and environmental impact of co-digesting dairy cow slurry with grass silage and other feedstock / This project will produce information on biogas yields from grass and the energy balance from using it as a feed-stock for anaerobic digestion. Furthermore, information from this project will be collated to determine the GHG emission savings that can be achieved when maize and grass are grown in NI as feed-stock for AD. / May 2014
11/4/05 / Managing the risk of nutrient loss from slurry applications to agricultural grassland soils in Northern Ireland (FT) / The project will identify strategies for minimising the risk of nutrient loss from slurry spreading on agricultural soils in Northern Ireland. A risk based approach to slurry spreading aims to minimise the probability of slurry application coinciding with rainfall and the potential for nutrient loss in runoff. / March 2014
Project Reference / Project Title / Goals of Project / Anticipated End Date of Project
11/4/06 / Biomass crops for renewable energy / This project will provide producers with a better understanding of how to choose an appropriate harvesting system and manage on-floor drying to achieve dry fuel meeting appropriate quality standards at least cost.The project will also provide an evidence base to policy makers and the industry of achievable benefits from miscanthus and identify economically viable methods of utilising the crop for energy. / March 2014
11/4/07 / The greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of sheep systems in Northern Ireland and the development of breeding strategies to optimise the environmental credentials of local agri-food produce / The aim of this project is to develop breeding strategies for the Northern Ireland sheep sector which will reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions through improved feed resource efficiency. The objectives of the programme are to:-
(1)Evaluate the GHG emissions and overall resource use efficiency of new ewe and sire genotypes over a range of hill and lowland conditions.