TResearch_50th 08/05/2008 09:32 Page 1 www.teagasc.ie Volume 3: Number 2. Summer 2008 Volume 1649-8917 ISSN Research and innovation news at Teagasc Celebrating fifty years of scientific research TResearch_50th 08/05/2008 09:32 Page 2 Volume 3: Number 2. Summer 2008 T Contents Looking back, looking forward This special anniversary issue of TResearch T Livestock features a collection of some of the main research highlights in An Foras Talúntais (AFT) over the last Crossbreeding the dairy herd 23 50 years. AFT was established in 1958 using Researchers at Moorepark have been investigating funding from the American Government under the potential of Jersey and Norwegian Red cow the Marshall Aid Programme. The ground- breaking research emanating from the breeds as an alternative strategy to provide genetic organisation provided the impetus for a new era improvement in the dairy herd. of development in Irish agriculture, founded on scientific knowledge. AFT was amalgamated with T Economics ACOT, the advisory and training organisation, to establish Teagasc in 1988. The CAP Health Check 50 This is a time for reflection on the achievements Economists at RERC explore the possible implications of the last 50 years, and a time to look forward to for Irish farmers of the CAP Health Check. prepare for the challenges ahead. It is timely that Teagasc 2030, the outcome of Teagasc’s Foresight project, which commenced last year, will be launched at a major conference News 3 Environment 40 in Dublin Castle on May 30. While Greenhouse gas seminar Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture Liming grassland soils in Ireland commemorating the achievements of the past 50 Agricultural Research Forum Stokes Professorship years, the conference will signpost the Crops 46 development that can take place in agriculture AFT 50th anniversary celebration 6 New strategies for drying willow chips and food over the next 20 years or so, and how Celebrating 50 years of agriculture and food research Teagasc will contribute to this development. Economics 48 Livestock 23 Farm numbers and viability The onus is on Teagasc to put structures in place Promising legumes for beef pastures to enable it to provide answers to the burning Preventing mould growth on baled silage Social research 54 research questions, some of which have been The practice of piglet castration in Europe Rural men and suicide: risks and vulnerabilities around for some time, while new challenges such Food 34 as climate change, competitive world food Horticulture 56 Food and health – the consumers’ perspective Mushroom casings: science catching up with technology markets and food security, and working in Sensors in food manufacture – the next generation harmony with the environment, will continue to Events 59 test us. Science events 2008 While the article focuses on some of the research that has had the biggest impact on the advancement of the agriculture and food industry T Credits in Ireland over the last 50 years, it is not possible to mention every project or every researcher. This broader contribution is duly noted in this TResearch Teagasc | Oak Park | Carlow editorial. Tribute should also be paid to the technical and farm staff who have supported the TResearch is an official science EDITOR Catriona Boyle Reference to any commercial product or research programmes and trials. publication of Teagasc. It aims to 059-918 3419 [email protected] service is made with the understanding disseminate the results of the that no discrimination is intended and no The existence of a strong research function, EDITORIAL STEERING GROUP organisation’s research to a broad endorsement by Teagasc is implied. closely integrated with advisory and training Catriona Boyle Eric Donald audience. The opinions expressed in the services, is an essential component of Teagasc’s Michael Drennan Helen Grogan Published on behalf of Teagasc by magazine are, however, those of the future and that of the industry that Teagasc has Tim Guinee Richard Hackett authors and cannot be construed as Th!nkMedia served so well over the past 50 years. Tim Keady Anne Kinsella PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHING SERVICES reflecting Teagasc’s views. The Editor John Mee Dermot Morris The Malthouse, 537 NCR, Dublin 1. reserves the right to edit all copy Lance O’Brien Paul O’Grady T: 01-856 1166 F: 01-856 1169 submitted to the publication. Frank O’Mara Rogier Schulte www.thinkmedia.ie www.teagasc.ie Declan Troy Miriam Walsh Design: Tony Byrne, Tom Cullen, Gerard Nash and Ruth O’Sullivan Catriona Boyle © Articles cannot be reproduced without ADMINISTRATOR Hilary King Editorial: Ann-Marie Hardiman, the prior written consent of the Editor. 059-918 3478 [email protected] Editor Matthew Cullen 2 | TResearch TResearch_50th 08/05/2008 09:32 Page 3 Volume 3: Number 2. Summer 2008 T News Honorary degree for Patrick Commins RIP Patrick (Pakie) Commins was recently awarded “The degree of DLitt is the highest award provided by the National University of an honorary degree by the National University Ireland and it has been granted to Patrick Commins in recognition of his sustained contribution to research on the rural economy and society of Ireland. of Ireland, Maynooth. Unfortunately, he passed His outstanding attributes include his vision and ability to think laterally and away less than a week later. over the long term, and his extraordinary capacity to conceptualise and contextualise, and to keep pushing out the frontiers of research on several fronts. Throughout his distinguished career he promoted new perspectives on At a special ceremony on March 9 in University rural Ireland, critically challenged the conventional wisdom, and proposed Hospital Galway, the Deputy President of NUI workable alternative strategies for government departments, among others,” Maynooth, Professor Jim Walsh, conferred an said Professor Walsh. honorary doctor of literature degree on Patrick Professor Walsh described Mr Commins as “the most authoritative voice on Commins. Throughout his career in Teagasc, rural development and on the social aspects of the rural economy in Ireland Mr Commins held many positions of research over the past 30 or more years”. He added that Patrick also had outstanding leadership, culminating in his role as Chief personal qualities that will be treasured by his colleagues and friends, “including Scientist for Rural Development. Following his humility, respect, loyalty, comradeship, patience, and personal generosity of his retirement, he held positions as Adjunct time and advice for everybody no matter what their position”. Professor in both NUI Maynooth and The staff of Teagasc wish to extend their deepest sympathy to his wife Mairin NUI Galway. and family. The EU has proposed new greenhouse gas emission targets for 2020, which Greenhouse gas seminar involve a 20% reduction in emissions from the non-emissions traded sector (ETS) by 2020. Considering rising global demand, and the future relaxation and removal of EU milk quotas, which will tend to increase agricultural emissions, this target presents a major challenge to the country, delegates at the recent Teagasc conference on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions heard in Wexford recently. The seminar heard from Teagasc experts in the various sectors, together with a presentation from Dr Hendrick, COFORD, while also looking at the strategies implemented by New Zealand to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining production. Teagasc is currently implementing a substantial programme of mitigation research funded largely under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Gary Lanigan summarises this research in his article in this Harry Clark, AgResearch, New Zealand, giving his presentation on ‘New Zealand’s issue of TResearch. Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Policies and Approaches’, at the recent The full conference proceedings can be downloaded from: Teagasc seminar. www.teagasc.ie/publications. Pioneered jointly by Teagasc, University College Postgraduate education Dublin (UCD) and University College Cork (UCC), the in the agri-food sector Food Graduate Development Programme will provide skills training to postgraduate students and research The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary staff in universities and research institutions in Coughlan, TD, recently launched a new initiative in Ireland engaged in FIRM food research projects. postgraduate education in the agri-food sector. The Food Declan Troy, Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre, Graduate Development Programme (www.foodpostgrad.ie) Kieran Jordan, Teagasc Moorepark Food Research has been allocated funding of €1.1 million for a five-year Centre and Professor Liam Donnelly, Head of Food period by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Research, Teagasc, are on the programme’s project under the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM). management group. TResearch | 3 TResearch_50th 08/05/2008 09:32 Page 4 Volume 3: Number 2. Summer 2008 T News Ballydague open day Teagasc Moorepark held a Dairy Levy research update at Ballydague Research Farm, Co. Cork, recently. Research and advisory staff from Teagasc Moorepark encouraged dairy farmers to focus on using artificial insemination (AI) to increase the numbers of high-quality dairy replacements. The number of replacement dairy females born over the last two years is inadequate to maintain the present national dairy herd size, and particularly so in an increased national milk quota scenario. The ICBF Animal Events system shows