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Item 100 essential questions for the future of agriculture(Wiley, 2023-04-11) Hu, Yuming; Zhao, Taolan; Guo, Yafang; Wang, Meng; Brachhold, Kerstin; Chu, Chengcai; Hanson, Andrew; Kumar, Sachin; Lin, Rongcheng; Long, Wenjin; Luo, Ming; Feng Ma, Jian; Miao, Yansong; Nie, Shaoping; Sheng, Yu; Shi, Weiming; Whelan, James; Wu, Qingyu; Wu, Ziping; Xie, Wei; Yang, Yinong; Zhao, Chao; Lei, Lei; Zhu, Yong-Guan; Zhang, QifaThe world is at a crossroad when it comes to agriculture. The global population is growing, and the demand for food is increasing, putting a strain on our agricultural resources and practices. To address this challenge, innovative, sustainable, and inclusive approaches to agriculture are urgently required. In this paper, we launched a call for Essential Questions for the Future of Agriculture and identified a priority list of 100 questions. We focus on 10 primary themes: transforming agri-food systems, enhancing resilience of agriculture to climate change, mitigating climate change through agriculture, exploring resources and technologies for breeding, advancing cultivation methods, sustaining healthy agroecosystems, enabling smart and controlled-environment agriculture for food security, promoting health and nutrition-driven agriculture, exploring economic opportunities and addressing social challenges, and integrating one health and modern agriculture. We emphasise the critical importance of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research that integrates both basic and applied sciences and bridges the gaps among various stakeholders for achieving sustainable agriculture. Key points Growing demand and resource limitations pose a critical challenge for agriculture, necessitating innovative and sustainable approaches. The paper identifies 100 priority questions for the future of agriculture, indicating current and future research directions. Sustainable agriculture depends on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research that harmonises basic and applied sciences and fosters collaboration among different stakeholders.Item A concept for application of integrated digital technologies to enhance future smart agricultural systems(elsevier, 2023-05-17) Gebresenbet, Girma; Bosona, Techane; Patterson, David; Persson, Henrik; Fischer, Benjamin; Mandaluniz, Nerea; Chirici, Gherardo; Zacepins, Aleksejs; Komasilovs, Vitalijs; Pitulac, Tudor; Nasirahmadi, AbozarFuture agricultural systems should increase productivity and sustainability of food production and supply. For this, integrated and efficient capture, management, sharing, and use of agricultural and environmental data from multiple sources is essential. However, there are challenges to understand and efficiently use different types of agricultural and environmental data from multiple sources, which differ in format and time interval. In this regard, the role of emerging technologies is considered to be significant for integrated data gathering, analyses and efficient use. In this study, a concept was developed to facilitate the full integration of digital technologies to enhance future smart and sustainable agricultural systems. The concept has been developed based on the results of a literature review and diverse experiences and expertise which enabled the identification of stat-of-the-art smart technologies, challenges and knowledge gaps. The features of the proposed solution include: data collection methodologies using smart digital tools; platforms for data handling and sharing; application of Artificial Intelligent for data integration and analysis; edge and cloud computing; application of Blockchain, decision support system; and a governance and data security system. The study identified the potential positive implications i.e. the implementation of the concept could increase data value, farm productivity, effectiveness in monitoring of farm operations and decision making, and provide innovative farm business models. The concept could contribute to an overall increase in the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the agricultural sector as well as digital transformation in agriculture and rural areas. This study also provided future research direction in relation to the proposed concept. The results will benefit researchers, practitioners, developers of smart tools, and policy makers supporting the transition to smarter and more sustainable agriculture systems.Item A machine learning approach to predicting plant available phosphorus that accounts for soil heterogeneity and regional variability(2023-09-20) Hall, Rebecca L.; de Santana, Felipe Bachion; Grunsky, Eric C.; Browne, Margaret A.; Lowe, Victoria; Fitzsimons, Mairéad; Higgins, Suzanne; Gallagher, Vincent; Daly, Karen; Environmental ProtectionPurpose Mehlich-3 extractable P, Al, Ca, and Fe combined with pH can be used to help explain soil chemical processes which regulate P retention, such as the role of Al, Ca, Fe, and pH levels in P fixation and buffering capacity. However, Mehlich-3 is not always the standard test used in agriculture. The objective of this study is to assess the most reliable conversion of Mehlich-3 Al, Ca, Fe, and P and pH into a commonly used soil P test, Morgan’s P, and specifically to predict values into decision support for fertiliser recommendations. Methods A geochemical database of 5631 mineral soil samples which covered the northern area of Ireland was used to model soil test P and P indices using Mehlich-3 data. Results A random forest machine learning algorithm produced an R2 of 0.96 and accurately predicted soil P index from external validation in 90% of samples (with an error range of ± 1 mg L−1). The model accuracy was reduced when predicted Morgan’s P concentration was outside of the sampled area. Conclusions It is recommended that random forest is used to produce Mehlich-3 conversions, especially when data covers large spatial scales with large heterogeneity in soil types and regional variations. To implement conversion models into P testing regimes, it is recommended that representative soil types/geochemical attributes are present in the dataset. Furthermore, completion of a national scale geochemical survey is needed. This will enable accurate predictions of Morgan’s P concentration for a wider range of soils and geographical scale.Item A research note: A short survey of key silage-making practices on Northern Ireland dairy farms and farmer's perceptions of the factors influencing silage quality(Teagasc, 2022-11-07) Ferris, Conrad; Laidlaw, A.S.; Wylie, A.R.G.Northern Ireland dairy farmers (n = 174) were surveyed to identify key silage-making practices, and factors perceived to influence the quality of grass silage made on their farms. The majority of farmers (65%) harvested grass for silage three times/year: 62% normally used a contractor, while 47% routinely used a silage additive. Delays to mowing and delays to harvesting due to adverse weather or poor ground conditions were perceived to have a large or very large impact on silage quality (68% and 53% of farmers, respectively). Inadequate wilting, poor-quality swards on owned land, on rented land and “contamination” of first-cut grass with autumn or winter growth herbage were all perceived as having a large or very large impact on silage quality (32%, 27%, 40%, 30% of farmers, respectively). Over the previous decade, 11%, 41% and 37% of farmers claimed a small, moderate or large improvement in silage quality, mainly due to earlier cutting of grass and ensiling better quality swards.Item A valuation study to identify the determinants of the demand for time spent outdoors among users of hospital facilities, their willingness-to-pay for green infrastructure improvements, and the implications for planning.(Taylor & Francis Group, 2024-03-06) Zachariou, Marios; Longo, Alberto; Environmental ProtectionGreen infrastructure has been promoted as an urban planning tool for the achievement of health and environmental policy objectives. The capacity of economic valuation methods to estimate monetary benefit values for intangible goods, such as mental health and wellbeing, renders them useful in justifying green infrastructure interventions and guiding their implementation. In this case study we used stated preference methods to elicit cross-sectional data on the preferences of staff (n=118), visitors (n=88), and inpatients (n=35) of Musgrave Park Hospital in Northern Ireland, for improvements in the hospital’s outdoor grounds. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to use the contingent behavior method to examine the demand for time spent on the improved outdoor grounds of a hospital and the first to use the contingent valuation method to obtain the respective willingness-to-pay values. The results show that the three hospital user groups differed in their preferred types of green infrastructure and their motivations for using the outdoor grounds, an important input for planning the transformation of the outdoors. Other findings suggest that to maximize health and well-being benefits, complementary measures to address the issues of sedentary lifestyles and inadequate use of the outdoors as a stress-coping mechanism are needed.Item Achieving Sustainable Phosphorus Use in Food Systems through Circularisation(MDPI, 2018-05-30) Withers, Paul J. A.; Doody, Donnacha; Sylvester-Bradley, RogerThe notion of a phosphorus (P) circular economy provides the philosophy, framework, and opportunity to enable food production systems to become more efficient, sustainable, and resilient to a future P scarcity or sudden price shock. Whilst P recovery and recycling are central strategies for closing the P cycle, additional gains in environmental performance of food systems can be obtained by further minimising the amounts of P (a) introduced into the food system by lowering system P demand and (b) lost from the system by utilising legacy P stores in the landscape. This minimisation is an important cascading component of circularisation because it reduces the amounts of P circulating in the system, the amounts of P required to be recycled/recovered and the storage of unused P in the landscape, whilst maintaining agricultural output. The potential for circularisation and minimisation depends on regional differences in these P flow dynamics. We consider incremental and transformative management interventions towards P minimisation within circular economies, and how these might be tempered by the need to deliver a range of ecosystem services. These interventions move away from current production philosophies based on risk-averse, insurance-based farming, and current consumption patterns which have little regard for their environmental impact. We argue that a greater focus on P minimisation and circularisation should catalyse different actors and sectors in the food chain to embrace P sustainability and should empower future research needs to provide the confidence for them to do so without sacrificing future regional food security.Item Addressing Global Ruminant Agricultural Challenges Through Understanding the Rumen Microbiome: Past, Present, and Future(Frontiers Media, 2018-09-25) Huws, Sharon A.; Creevey, Christopher J.; Oyama, Linda B.; Mizrahi, Itzhak; Denman, Stuart E.; Popova, Milka; Muñoz-Tamayo, Rafael; Forano, Evelyne; Waters, Sinead M.; Hess, Matthias; Tapio, Ilma; Smidt, Hauke; Krizsan, Sophie J.; Yáñez-Ruiz, David R.; Belanche, Alejandro; Guan, Leluo; Gruninger, Robert J.; McAllister, Tim A.; Newbold, C. Jamie; Roehe, Rainer; Dewhurst, Richard J.; Snelling, Tim J.; Watson, Mick; Suen, Garret; Hart, Elizabeth H.; Kingston-Smith, Alison H.; Scollan, Nigel D.; do Prado, Rodolpho M.; Pilau, Eduardo J.; Mantovani, Hilario C.; Attwood, Graeme T.; Edwards, Joan E.; McEwan, Neil R.; Morrisson, Steven; Mayorga, Olga L.; Elliott, Christopher; Morgavi, Diego P.The rumen is a complex ecosystem composed of anaerobic bacteria, protozoa, fungi, methanogenic archaea and phages. These microbes interact closely to breakdown plant material that cannot be digested by humans, whilst providing metabolic energy to the host and, in the case of archaea, producing methane. Consequently, ruminants produce meat and milk, which are rich in high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals, and therefore contribute to food security. As the world population is predicted to reach approximately 9.7 billion by 2050, an increase in ruminant production to satisfy global protein demand is necessary, despite limited land availability, and whilst ensuring environmental impact is minimized. Although challenging, these goals can be met, but depend on our understanding of the rumen microbiome. Attempts to manipulate the rumen microbiome to benefit global agricultural challenges have been ongoing for decades with limited success, mostly due to the lack of a detailed understanding of this microbiome and our limited ability to culture most of these microbes outside the rumen. The potential to manipulate the rumen microbiome and meet global livestock challenges through animal breeding and introduction of dietary interventions during early life have recently emerged as promising new technologies. Our inability to phenotype ruminants in a high-throughput manner has also hampered progress, although the recent increase in “omic” data may allow further development of mathematical models and rumen microbial gene biomarkers as proxies. Advances in computational tools, high-throughput sequencing technologies and cultivation-independent “omics” approaches continue to revolutionize our understanding of the rumen microbiome. This will ultimately provide the knowledge framework needed to solve current and future ruminant livestock challenges.Item Altitude influences microbial diversity and herbage fermentation in the rumen of yaks(BMC, 2020-12-04) Fan, Qingshan; Wanapat, Metha; Yan, Tianhai; Hou, FujiangBackground: Rumen microbiota in ruminants are vital for sustaining good rumen ecology, health, and productivity. Currently, limited information is available regarding the response of yaks (Bos grunniens) to fluctuating environments, especially the rumen microbiome. To address this, we investigated the diet, rumen bacterial community, and volatile fatty acids (VFA) of rumen fluid of yaks raised in the great Qinghai-Tibet plateau (QTP) at 2800 (low altitude, L), 3700 (middle altitude, M), and 4700 m (high altitude, H) above sea level. Results: The results showed that despite a partial diet overlap, H yaks harbored higher fibrous fractious contents than the M and L grazing yaks. Bacteria including Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Ruminococcus_1, Romboutsia, Alloprevotella, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, Clostridium, Streptococcus, and Treponema were found to be enriched in the rumen of yaks grazing at H. They also showed higher rumen microbial diversity and total VFA concentrations than those shown by yaks at M and L. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) on weighted UniFrac distances revealed that the bacterial community structure of rumen differed between the three altitudes. Moreover, Tax4fun metagenome estimation revealed that microbial genes associated with energy requirement and carbohydrate metabolic fate were overexpressed in the rumen microbiota of H yaks. Conclusions: Collectively, our results revealed that H yaks had a stronger herbage fermenting ability via rumen microbial fermentation. Their enhanced ability of utilizing herbage may be partly owing to a microbiota adaptation for more energy requirements in the harsh H environment, such as lower temperature and the risk of hypoxia.Item Application of a simplified ADM1 for full-scale anaerobic co-digestion of cattle slurry and grass silage: assessment of input variability(Springer, 2024-01-02) Tisocco, Sofia; Weinrich, Sören; Lyons, Gary; Wills, Michael; Zhan, Xinmin; Crosson, Paul; Grassland and Plant ScienceMathematical modeling of anaerobic digestion is a powerful tool to predict gas yields and optimize the process. The Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) is a widely implemented model for this purpose. However, modeling full-scale biogas plants is challenging due to the extensive substrate and parameter characterization required. This study describes the modification of the ADM1 through a simplification of individual process phases, characteristic components and required parameters. Consequently, the ability of the simplified model to simulate the co-digestion of grass silage and cattle slurry was evaluated using data from a full-scale biogas plant. The impacts of substrate composition (crude carbohydrate, protein and lipid concentration) and variability of carbohydrate degradability on simulation results were assessed to identify the most influential parameters. Results indicated that the simplified version was able to depict biogas and biomethane production with average model efficiencies, according to the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) coefficient, of 0.70 and 0.67, respectively, and was comparable to the original ADM1 (average model efficiencies of 0.71 and 0.63, respectively). The variability of crude carbohydrate, protein and lipid concentration did not significantly impact biogas and biomethane output for the data sets explored. In contrast, carbohydrate degradability seemed to explain much more of the variability in the biogas and methane production. Thus, the application of simplified models provides a reliable basis for the process simulation and optimization of full-scale agricultural biogas plants.Item Application of metal oxide semiconductor for detection of ammonia emissions from agricultural sources(Elsevier, 2022-11-21) Molleman, Bastiaan; Alessi, Enrico; Krol, Dominika; Morton, Phoebe; Daly, KarenAgricultural emissions of ammonia (NH3) reduce air quality and biodiversity. Measuring the effectiveness of mitigations measures requires rapid monitoring tools, however, conventional methods are labour intensive and costly. This study evaluated the performance of a prototype metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor for monitoring NH3. Conventional methods were used to calibrate sensor conductance. The metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor was calibrated against NH3 released from a 0.1 M phosphate buffer spiked with ammonium chloride and NH3 released from recently spread cattle slurry. Field measurements using the MOS sensor were compared with values measuring a Bruker Open Path Air Monitoring System. Sensor conductance and NH3 concentration were described using single site Langmuir adsorption model. Field calibrations suggest a higher detection limit above 0.1 ppm and coefficients of determination were 0.93 and 0.89 for sensors 1 and 2, respectively. For prototypes deployed under field conditions, sensitivities of 2.2 and 2.4 with nonlinearity constants of 0.53 and 0.51, were found for sensor 1 and 3 respectively. Average R2 values were 0.88 for sensor 1 and 0.92 for sensor 3. The calibrations were used to calculate NH3 concentrations from slurry emissions using MOS sensor conductance. NH3 concentrations between 0.2 and 1 ppm, were measured with standard deviation of 20% of verified concentrations. The MOS sensor is sensitive enough to detect NH3 emission from agricultural sources with concentrations above 0.2 ppm. Low power and cost of MOS sensors are an advantage over existing techniques.Item Appropriate level of alfalfa hay in diets for rearing Simmental crossbred calves in dryland China(Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies, 2018-05-24) Kobayashi, Nobuyuki; Hou, Fujiang; Tsunekawa, Atsushi; Chen, Xianjiang; Yan, Tianhai; Ichinohe, ToshiyoObjective: In dryland areas of China, alfalfa hay (AH) is a possible substitute for concentrate feed for beef cattle. To evaluate the potential benefits of this substitution, we studied the effect of the ratio of AH intake to total dry matter (DM) intake on average daily body-weight gain (ADG), dietary energy utilization status, and economic benefit in Gansu province. Methods: In each of two feeding trials in 2016 (trial 1 [T1], July 3 to 17; trial 2 [T2], August 15 to September 23), crossbred male Simmental calves were allocated to low AH (LA), medium AH (MA), and high AH (HA) feeding groups (n = 4 per group). The target ADG was set as 1 kg for both trials. In a one-way-layout design based on conventional feeding practices in the province, calves received diets containing the different AH amounts, with a constant ratio of corn stover:total DM and decreasing rations of concentrate feed proportional to the increase in AH. Calves in T1 received AH at 15% (T1-LA), 23% (T1-MA), or 31% (T1-HA) of their dietary DM allowances; those in T2 received 9% (T2-LA), 24% (T2-MA), or 34% (T2-HA) AH. Results: Among the T1 groups, both ADG and economic benefit were highest in T1-LA; whereas in T2, they were higher in the T2-LA and T2-MA groups than in T2-HA. Energy digestibility did not significantly differ among the groups in either trial. The dietary AH inclusion ratios of 14% in the warm season and 8% to 21% in the cool season appeared to yield optimal ADG, metabolizable energy intake, and economic benefit. Conclusion: Low-level inclusion of AH, ranging from 8% to 21%, is a practical approach for beef cattle feeding. This modified feeding regimen likely will promote increased growth performance during the fattening stage of beef steers in dryland areas of Gansu province, China.Item Are consumers willing to pay for beef that has been produced without the use of uncontrolled burning methods? A contingent valuation study in North-West Spain(Elsevier, 2022-06-22) Deely, John; Hynes, Stephen; Barquín, José; Burgess, Diane; Álvarez-Martínez, Jose Manuel; Silió, Ana; Finney, Graham; EconomicsLand burning has long been used as an effective means of land management. Used in a controlled manner, the burning of vegetation to clear land can have minimal effects on the natural environment. However, uncontrolled land burning, where fires are allowed to spread beyond the intended area, can have severe and detrimental effects on ecosystem functioning. This paper examines the premium residents of the Cantabria region of Spain are willing to pay for beef that has been reared without the use of uncontrolled land burning. Using the single bounded contingent valuation method, the result indicates that the average respondent is willing to pay an 84% price premium (€11.31 more per kilogram) for beef that has been farmed using a more environmentally means of land management. Willingness to pay is influenced by several factors including; price, age of the consumer, level of education, number of dependants in the respondents household and historical beef consumption preferences. Further to this, the results of the bivariate probit model suggest that not all factors influencing the decision to enter the hypothetical market, influence willingness to pay. This demand-side analysis suggests that there is a viable market for Pasiego beef in the Cantabria region with more environmentally favourable production credentials.Item Are single global warming potential impact assessments adequate for carbon footprints of agri-food systems?(IOP Publishing, 2023-07-18) McAuliffe, Graham A.; Lynch, John; Cain, Michelle; Buckingham, Sarah; Rees, Robert M.; Collins, Adrian L.; Allen, Myles; Pierrehumbert, Raymond; Lee, Michael R. F.; Takahashi, Taro; Sustainable LivestockThe vast majority of agri-food climate-based sustainability analyses use global warming potential (GWP100) as an impact assessment, usually in isolation; however, in recent years, discussions have criticised the 'across-the-board' application of GWP100 in Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), particularly of food systems which generate large amounts of methane (CH4) and considered whether reporting additional and/or alternative metrics may be more applicable to certain circumstances or research questions (e.g. Global Temperature Change Potential (GTP)). This paper reports a largescale sensitivity analysis using a pasture-based beef production system (a high producer of CH4 emissions) as an exemplar to compare various climatatic impact assessments: CO2-equivalents using GWP100 and GTP100, and 'CO2-warming-equivalents' using 'GWP Star', or GWP*. The inventory for this system was compiled using data from the UK Research and Innovation National Capability, the North Wyke Farm Platform, in Devon, SW England. LCAs can have an important bearing on: (i) policymakers' decisions; (ii) farmer management decisions; (iii) consumers' purchasing habits; and (iv) wider perceptions of whether certain activities can be considered 'sustainable' or not; it is, therefore, the responsibility of LCA practitioners and scientists to ensure that subjective decisions are tested as robustly as possible through appropriate sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. We demonstrate herein that the choice of climate impact assessment has dramatic effects on interpretation, with GWP100 and GTP100 producing substantially different results due to their different treatments of CH4 in the context of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents. Given its dynamic nature and previously proven strong correspondence with climate models, out of the three assessments covered, GWP* provides the most complete coverage of the temporal evolution of temperature change for different greenhouse gas emissions. We extend previous discussions on the limitations of static emission metrics and encourage LCA practitioners to consider due care and attention where additional information or dynamic approaches may prove superior, scientifically speaking, particularly in cases of decision support.Item Are stakeholders ready to transform phosphorus use in food systems? A transdisciplinary study in a livestock intensive system.(Elsevier, 2022-02-12) Martin-Ortega, Julia; Rothwell, Shane A.; Anderson, Aine; Okumah, Murat; Lyon, Christopher; Sherry, Erin; Johnston, Christopher; Withers, Paul J.A.; Doody, DonnachaFood systems worldwide are vulnerable to Phosphorus (P) supply disruptions and price fluctuations. Current P use is also highly inefficient, generating large surpluses and pollution. Global food security and aquatic ecosystems are in jeopardy if transformative action is not taken. This paper pivots from earlier (predominantly conceptual) work to develop and analyse a P transdisciplinary scenario process, assessing stakeholders potential for transformative thinking in P use in the food system. Northern Ireland, a highly livestock-intensive system, was used as case study for illustrating such process. The stakeholder engagement takes a normative stance in that it sets the explicit premise that the food system needs to be transformed and asks stakeholders to engage in a dialogue on how that transformation can be achieved. A Substance Flow Analysis of P flows and stocks was employed to construct visions for alternative futures and stimulate stakeholder discussions on system responses. These were analysed for their transformative potential using a triple-loop social learning framework. For the most part, stakeholder responses remained transitional or incremental, rather than being fundamentally transformative. The process did unveil some deeper levers that could be acted upon to move the system further along the spectrum of transformational change (e.g. changes in food markets, creation of new P markets, destocking, new types of land production and radical land use changes), providing clues of what an aspirational system could look like. Replicated and adapted elsewhere, this process can serve as diagnostics of current stakeholders thinking and potential, as well as for the identification of those deeper levers, opening up avenues to work upon for global scale transformation.Item Assessment of water-limited winter wheat yield potential at spatially contrasting sites in Ireland using a simple growth and development model(Teagasc, 2017-09-19) Lynch, J.P.; Fealy, R.; Doyle, D.; Black, Lisa C.; Spink, J.Although Irish winter wheat yields are among the highest globally, increases in the profitability of this crop are required to maintain its economic viability. However, in order to determine if efforts to further increase Irish wheat yields are likely to be successful, an accurate estimation of the yield potential is required for different regions within Ireland. A winter wheat yield potential model (WWYPM) was developed, which estimates the maximum water-limited yield achievable, within the confines of current genetic resources and technologies, using parameters for winter wheat growth and development observed recently in Ireland and a minor amount of daily meteorological input (maximum and minimum daily temperature, total daily rainfall and total daily incident radiation). The WWYPM is composed of three processes: (i) an estimation of potential green area index, (ii) an estimation of light interception and biomass accumulation and (iii) an estimation of biomass partitioning to grain yield. Model validation indicated that WWYPM estimations of water-limited yield potential (YPw) were significantly related to maximum yields recorded in variety evaluation trials as well as regional average and maximum farm yields, reflecting the model’s sensitivity to alterations in the climatic environment with spatial and seasonal variations. Simulations of YPw for long-term average weather data at 12 sites located at spatially contrasting regions of Ireland indicated that the typical YPw varied between 15.6 and 17.9 t/ha, with a mean of 16.7 t/ha at 15% moisture content. These results indicate that the majority of sites in Ireland have the potential to grow high-yielding crops of winter wheat when the effects of very high rainfall and other stresses such as disease incidence and nutrient deficits are not considered.Item An association analysis of sow parity, live-weight and back-fat depth as indicators of sow productivity(Cambridge University Press, 2019-03) Lavery, Anna; Lawlor, P. G.; Magowan, Elizabeth; Miller, H. M.; O’Driscoll, K.; Berry, D. P.Understanding how critical sow live-weight and back-fat depth during gestation are in ensuring optimum sow productivity is important. The objective of this study was to quantify the association between sow parity, live-weight and back-fat depth during gestation with subsequent sow reproductive performance. Records of 1058 sows and 13 827 piglets from 10 trials on two research farms between the years 2005 and 2015 were analysed. Sows ranged from parity 1 to 6 with the number of sows per parity distributed as follows: 232, 277, 180, 131, 132 and 106, respectively. Variables that were analysed included total born (TB), born alive (BA), piglet birth weight (BtWT), pre-weaning mortality (PWM), piglet wean weight (WnWT), number of piglets weaned (Wn), wean to service interval (WSI), piglets born alive in subsequent farrowing and sow lactation feed intake. Calculated variables included the within-litter CV in birth weight (LtV), pre-weaning growth rate per litter (PWG), total litter gain (TLG), lactation efficiency and litter size reared after cross-fostering. Data were analysed using linear mixed models accounting for covariance among records. Third and fourth parity sows had more (P<0.05) TB, BA and heavier BtWT compared with gilts and parity 6 sow contemporaries. Parities 2 and 3 sows weaned more (P<0.05) piglets than older sows. These piglets had heavier (P<0.05) birth weights than those from gilt litters. LtV and PWM were greater (P<0.01) in litters born to parity 5 sows than those born to younger sows. Sow live-weight and back-fat depth at service, days 25 and 50 of gestation were not associated with TB, BA, BtWT, LtV, PWG, WnWT or lactation efficiency (P>0.05). Heavier sow live-weight throughout gestation was associated with an increase in PWM (P<0.01) and reduced Wn and lactation feed intake (P<0.05). Deeper back-fat in late gestation was associated with fewer (P<0.05) BA but heavier (P<0.05) BtWT, whereas deeper back-fat depth throughout gestation was associated with reduced (P<0.01) lactation feed intake. Sow back-fat depth was not associated with LtV, PWG, TLG, WSI or piglets born alive in subsequent farrowing (P>0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that sow parity, live-weight and back-fat depth can be used as indicators of reproductive performance. In addition, this study also provides validation for future development of a benchmarking tool to monitor and improve the productivity of modern sow herd.Item Automated detection and quantification of contact behaviour in pigs using deep learning(Elsevier, 2022-10-22) Alameer, Ali; Buijs, Stephanie; O'Connell, Niamh; Dalton, Luke; Larsen, Mona; Pedersen, Lene; Kyriazakis, IliasChange in the frequency of contact between pigs within a group may be indicative of a change in the physiological or health status of one or more pigs within a group, or indicative of the occurrence of abnormal behaviour, e.g. tail-biting. Here, we developed a novel framework that detects and quantifies the frequency of interaction, i.e., a pig head to another pig rear, between pigs in groups. The method does not require individual pig tracking/identification and uses only inexpensive camera-based data capturing infrastructure. We modified the architecture of well-established deep learning models and further developed a lightweight processing stage that scans over pigs to score said interactions. This included the addition of a detection subnetwork to a selected layer of the base residual network. We first validated the automated system to score the interactions between individual pigs within a group, and determined an average accuracy of 92.65% ± 3.74%, under a variety of settings, e.g., management set-ups and data capturing. We then applied the method to a significant welfare challenge in pigs, that of the detection of tail-biting outbreaks in pigs and quantified the changes that happen in contact behaviour during such an outbreak. Our study shows that the system is able to accurately monitor pig interactions under challenging farming conditions, without the need for additional sensors or a pig tracking stage. The method has a number of potential applications to the field of precision livestock farming of pigs that may transform the industry.Item Barriers and Enablers of Long-term Land Leasing: a Case Study of Northern Ireland(Wiley, 2023-08-06) Adenuga, Adewale Henry; Jack, Claire; McCarry, Ronan; Caskie, Paul; EconomicsLong-term land leasing offers a viable alternative to land ownership in relation to increasing efficiency of agricultural production, economies of scale, and delivering environmental improvements in terms of land management. However, with no significant tenanted sector in Northern Ireland, access to land via long-term land leasing is limited. This study analysed the barriers and enablers of long-term land leasing. To achieve our objective, we employed a mixed methods approach. The results show that the main barriers to long-term land leasing were environmental concern (around how the land will be managed), inheritance tax implications and the potential effect of long-term land leasing on future succession plans of the farm business. We also found that as much as 70 per cent of the farmers surveyed believe the inclusion of a ‘break clause’ and the introduction of income tax incentives will encourage the adoption of long-term land leasing, while 61 per cent of the farmers stated that the environmental management of the land will encourage long-term land leasing. The study concluded that any model designed to encourage long-term land leasing in Northern Ireland should include clauses which cover the environmental management of the land and break clauses. Income tax incentives for landowners could also be considered.Item Behavioural and physiological responses of individually housed dairy calves to change in milk feeding frequency at different ages(Compuscript, 2020-11-30) Scoley, Gillian; Ashfield, A.; Oiartzun, M. Romero; Gordon, Alan; Morrison, Steven; Sustainable LivestockThis study aimed to use a range of non-invasive monitoring technologies to investigate the behavioural and physiological responses of individually housed dairy calves to age at change in milk replacer (MR) feeding frequency. Forty-eight Holstein Friesian calves were individually penned and fed MR (625 g/d) as solids in one of three feeding regimes: (i) once-a-day feeding commencing at age 14 d (OAD14), (ii) once-a-day feeding commencing at age 28 d (OAD28) and (iii) twice-a-day feeding (TAD). Several behavioural (automatic activity sensors), physiological (infrared [IR] thermography and heart rate variability [HRV]) and haematological indicators were used to examine calf responses. Reduction in milk feeding frequency at 14 or 28 d of age increased daily concentrate intakes and drinking water consumption throughout the pre-wean period. Calf lying behaviour was unaffected by reduction in milk feeding frequency; however, TAD calves recorded a significant decrease in total daily lying time during the post-wean period compared with OAD28s. There was no effect of treatment on IR eye or rectal temperature throughout the experiment; however, there was an effect of age, with IR temperature decreasing as calf age increased. OAD14 calves tended to have decreased HRV at days 14 and 16, which is suggestive of an increased stress load. The findings suggest that under high levels of animal husbandry and whilst maintaining the same amount of milk powder/d (625 g/d), reduction in milk feeding frequency from twice to once daily at 28 d can occur without significant impact to behavioural, performance and physiological parameters assessed here.Item Behavioural drivers of long-term land leasing adoption: application of an extended theory of planned behaviour(Springer, 2024-02-28) Adenuga.Adewale Henry; Jack, Claire; McCarry, Ronan; EconomicsIncreasing agricultural productivity while also protecting the environment, requires careful stewardship of the most important resource in production – land. Most land in Northern Ireland is controlled via owner occupation and granting access to others is a matter for careful consideration. Proprietorial caution, combined with custom and values attributed to land in the region has resulted in a pattern of tenure dominated by short-term rental agreements called conacre. An insecure, short-term land rental system, such as the conacre may be a disincentive to farmers in their decision-making around investing in land management and development, consequently resulting in reduced farm-level sustainability. In this study, we analysed the psychological and behavioural factors influencing farmers’ intention to take up long-term land leasing in Northern Ireland. To achieve our objective, we employed a mixed-methods approach and statistically analysed our quantitative data using an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) approach in a structural equation modelling framework. The results of our analyses showed that attitude, perceived behavioural control, subjective norm and perceived risk were statistically significant determinants of farmers’ intention to adopt long-term land leasing. The study results have important implications for the design of effective policies aimed at encouraging long-term land leasing through behavioural change to ensure sustainable agricultural production and effective land management.