DairyTech Project

UCD Lyons Farm

Overview

The main aim of this DairyTech research project at UCD Lyons Farm is to undertake novel research into sustainable, innovative milk production models, which will address significant challenges faced by the Irish dairy industry. The proposed research will investigate significant issues for the dairy sector such as: breeding and genetics, grazing systems and forage utilisation, milk processability and bioeconomic factors of new dairy production systems.

Work Plan

DairyTech is conducting novel research in 5 interrelated work packages (WP) to address some of the most significant challenges to growth faced by Irish dairy industry including:

Key Technical Challenge 1 (WP1) PI: Prof. Alan Fahey	Genetic and Bioeconomic Modelling of Dairy Production Systems
Key Technical Challenge 2 (WP2) PI: Prof. Finbar Mulligan	Investigation of causative factors and evaluation of control strategies for low milk fat percentage in Irish dairy herds
Key Technical Challenge 3 (WP3) PI: Dr Joris Somers	Monitoring lameness in dairy cows using remote sensor technology
Key Technical Challenge 4 (WP4) PI: Dr Karina Pierce	Nutritional manipulation to improve the microbiological and processability characteristics of late lactation spring milk
Key Technical Challenge 5 (WP5) PI: Dr Bridget Lynch	Development of a grassland management protocol for higher input/output dairy systems

Acknowledgements

DairyTech is funded by Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme which is co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020. Industry stakeholders Dairymaster, Devenish Nutrition, FBD, Glanbia, Irish Friesian Holstein Association, Munster Cattle Breeding Group and Progressive Genetics also contributed significantly to the project.

This research project is very much a team effort with significant input from Prof Finbar Mulligan, Dr. Karina Pierce, Dr Bridget Lynch, Luke O’Grady BVMS, Prof Alan Fahey, Dr Michael Wallace, Dr. Joris Somers, Dr Simone McCabe, Ciaran McDonnell and the farm staff at Lyons, Farm Manager Dr Eddie Jordan, Project Manager Dr. Faisal Zahoor and post graduate students Zoe Mc-Kay, Donal Walsh, Gitta Borghart and Orla Neville.