DARD Directed AFBI Research Projects 2012
Ref No
Title
12/1/01
Integration of food and energy
production to achieve sustainable
intensification of food security.
12/1/03
Identifying key drivers of production
efficiency through the
establishment and analysis of a
database for the AFBI Hillsborough
dairy herd.
A review of nutrient use efficiency
in grazed and cut grassland
systems and the potential to
improve production through
precision management techniques.
12/1/04
12/1/08
Optimising Mushroom Production
by improving Agaricus mycelial
colonisation in bulk Phase III.
12/1/09
Reducing the Use of Peat in
Horticultural Growing Media.
12/1/10
Investigation of the relationships
between genotype, trace element
status and gastrointestinal parasite
infections in lambs, and the
development of nutritional and
management strategies to increase
lamb output from grazed grass.
Goals of Project
The objective is to collate and interpret evidence and recommendations from a wide
range of reports and scientific publications relating to the adoption of renewable energy
technologies with respect to farm business economic viability, water quality issues,
climate change mitigation targets, energy security and food production from agriculture.
The development of this novel database has the potential to provide highly practical
information for dairy farmers, which will allow management practices, production
efficiency and profitability to be improved and help to identify the limiting factors in
production systems and optimise biological efficiency and thus financial performance to
support productivity, sustainability and competitiveness in the agri-food sector in NI.
The overall objectives are:
(1) To investigate the extent of nutrient use inefficiencies within NI agriculture,
particularly of inorganic fertiliser and lime use, and how the within-field component of
this variability could be hampering grass production and exacerbating environmental
problems (GHG emissions and eutophication of freshwater bodies);
(2) To assess the potential use of Precision Agriculture (PA) techniques to manage
inorganic fertiliser and lime applications at sub-field scales, to reduce nutrient under
or over-supplies and deliver tangible economic and environmental benefits; and
(3) To propose recommendations for practical studies to field-test PA technology that
appears most appropriate for NI grassland systems.
The project will provide evidence and innovation support to inform the scientific
knowledge base underpinning the composting and mushroom production industries on
the most efficient manipulation of compost factors (biochemical and structural) to
improve Agaricus growth and reduce process time during Phase 3 bulk spawn run
production.
This research will contribute to the development of a more sustainable and competitive
Horticultural Industry that recycles and re-uses its own valuable end product resources
to replace/substitute a non renewable resource namely peat.
The aim of this project is to develop management strategies to maximize lamb
performance through improved the health and welfare by providing: baseline data on the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance and trace element
deficiencies within lowland flocks;
 Investigating suitable mineral supplementation strategies for grass-based sheep
systems; and
 Quantifying the relationships between trace element status, level of worm
burden and lamb performance.
1
Projected End
Date of Project
March 2013
March 2015
March 2014
March 2016
March 2016
March 2015
Ref No
Title
Goals of Project
The overall objective of this project is the production of new diploid forage grasses using
anther culture by:
 Producing new diploid perennial ryegrass breeding stocks from the highly successful
tetrapliod Loughgall bred varieties using anther culture;
 Developing the anther culture method to widen the range of genotypes within a variety
that are capable of green plant production whilst reducing the regeneration of albino
plants;
 Assessing diploid plants produced by anther culture for agronomic value in field trials;
and
 Integrating the new breeding stocks into the breeding programme.

Agriculture, the environment and the rural economy may all benefit from multifunctional
use of biomass. Research strategies to improve the economic viability and sustainability
of biomass usage for renewable energy include selection of varieties with desirable
genetic traits, frequency/time of harvesting and use of pre-treatment technologies all of
which modify the biomass composition. Additionally the processing of biomass/wastes
into a range of bio-products such as biopolymers, insulation, and high value chemicals is
dependent upon the composition of the initial biomass and intermediates generated in a
multistep process. This project will provide laboratory evidence and information on
biomass quality for renewable energy and other uses, which will be of benefit to policy
makers, primary producers and end users of biomass.
Projected End
Date of Project
March 2015
12/1/11
Genetic Improvement of perennial
ryegrass through anther culture.
12/1/12
Biomass and agri-waste properties
as a tool to define end use
applications.
12/1/13
The extent and impact of colostrum
quality variability on calf health and
performance on Northern Ireland
dairy farms and an exploration of
strategies to improve calf survival.
The aim of this proposed project is to address the significant knowledge gaps which exist
in terms of ensuring adequate immune status is attained in calves and quantifying the
long-term impacts of calf health on lifetime performance of dairy and beef cattle. A
better understanding of these areas will enable the development of improved
management regimes and targeted technology transfer with the objective of reducing
mortality and morbidity rates in the Northern Ireland dairy and beef sectors.
March 2015
12/1/15
An evaluation of mid and late
pregnancy feeding strategies for
managing condition score of spring
calving suckler cows and their
subsequent reproductive
performance and progeny
performance.
In the proposed study, cows will be taken to a range of body condition scores through
managed grazing in summer/autumn and then over-wintered indoors on forage based
diets so as to achieve selected body condition scores at calving (range 2.0 to 3.5). The
protocol will be designed also to achieve different rates of body condition score change
through mid and late pregnancy. The impact on calving-associated parameters (e.g.
dystocia; calf viability; colostrum quality), post-calving parameters (e.g. cow condition
post-partum; days to next conception) and progeny performance to weaning will be
evaluated.
March 2015
2
March 2015
Ref No
Title
Goals of Project
12/1/16
Identification of current methods of
information sharing by industry and
government-based advisers and a
subsequent evaluation of
knowledge exchange best practice
in the agri-food sector.
The aim of this proposed project is to provide a detailed understanding of industry and
government-based adviser attitudes to (1) research and policy information and (2)
knowledge exchange in the Northern Ireland agri-food sector. This information will help
identify best practice for communicating information from research and policy to enable
improved uptake and adoption of new policies and technologies to improve performance
in the marketplace.
12/1/17
"Free-range" grass fed milk and
meat – nutritional attributes.
To identify if there are scientifically proven benefits of the grass-fed outdoor production
systems for the nutritional quality of milk and red meat that might be used to market NI
products by:
Projected End
Date of Project
March 2013
April 2016
(a) Determining the impact of grass based low-input outdoor production and intensive
high- input housed production milk and meat production systems on fat-soluble
vitamins D, A, and selected antioxidants in milk and meat;
12/1/18
12/1/19
Beef from dairy breeds versus beef
breeds.
The use of alternative protein
sources in diets for Northern Ireland
pig and poultry production systems.
(b) Investigating the feasibility of increasing vitamin D levels in meat and milk by on-farm
intervention.
The overall objectives of this project are:
 To quantify and have a better scientific understanding of the differences in the special
eating quality of dairy beef compared to traditional beef and dairy / beef crosses, and to
identify why the difference occurs.
 To identify whether this lends itself to a different product, marketed differently to beef
from traditional beef breeds, and,
 To identify what would be required to introduce the same quality into beef breeds or
dairy / beef crosses.
This research will:
March 2014
March 2015
1. Investigate and optimise the use of rapeseed meal in pig and poultry diets
2. Assess the use of wheat DDGS in pig and poultry diets on animal performance and
environmental impact (mainly Phosphorus excretion)
3. Identify and assess the feasibility of other ‘novel’ protein sources, for example, by
products from food/farm waste and algae in pig and poultry diets.
The outcomes of this project will provide the pig and poultry industries with the
knowledge of how to maximise production performance using alternative protein
sources, the use of which will reduce feed costs and improve the competitiveness and
sustainability of pig and poultry production systems in Northern Ireland.
3
Ref No
Title
12/1/20
Evaluation of new top fruit crops for
diversification within the top fruit
sector.
Evaluation of novel (including high
density and low-input) production
systems for apple and pear crops
growing under Irish conditions.
To evaluate the potential of new top fruit crops for production in N Ireland.
This research aims to: Find the optimal growing systems for Bramley and Pear using trellis and conventional
high density planting systems (wire frameworks).
 Establish a knowledge technology transfer platform on which all the issues relating to
high density plantings can be developed with the industry.
 Reduce chemical inputs and improve water use efficiency of top fruit production
 Develop best practice protocols for Bramley and Pear Production on Fruit Wall
systems.
March 2015
12/2/01
Development of the food
processing sector in Northern
Ireland.
This project aims to provide a comprehensive literature review on support
measures/policy instruments and their likely impacts on the development of the food
processing sector. Support measures can target the production / manufacturing process
through the provision of capital grants, support for R&D, support for training and skills
etc. Support measures can also include investment incentives which promote spillover
benefits in technologies, management and market access e.g. via FDI. They can also
target the post production stage by export promotion, market information provision and
support for marketing.
March 2013
12/2/02
The contribution of key basic
services to rural dwellers quality of
life in Northern Ireland; a baseline
review.
This proposed study builds upon previous research undertaken both in the preparation of
the Rural White Paper Evidence Chapter and in a current research project ‘Rural
Households’ Experience of Access to Public Services in NI’ which seeks to examine
rural dwellers’ experience of accessing basic services, including health, education and
financial services and the role of transport in facilitating access to such services.
September 2013
12/2/03
Impact of the recession on the rural
labour market in Northern Ireland.
This project will undertake a comprehensive review of the impact of the recession on the
rural labour market. The review will be based on a range of sources and will develop
explanations for regional variations in the performance of rural areas. The relationship
between changes in employment and underlying determinants will be further explored
using quantitative analysis. This analysis will identify the contribution of alternative
drivers of employment and thereby, provide a better understanding of the diverse
performance of rural areas.
September 2014
Modelling farm business decision
making within a household context.
The overall objective of the project is to model farm household decisions regarding their
levels of commitment to the farm business in terms of investment, innovation, skills,
diversification activities, off-farm employment and other household roles and the impact
that these have on farm household income.
September 2016
12/1/21
12/2/04
Goals of Project
4
Projected End
Date of Project
June 2015
Ref No
Title
Goals of Project
Projected End
Date of Project
2015
12/2/05
Contribution of Rural Areas to the
NI economy.
This project aims to evaluate the economic contribution of rural areas to the wider
economy in Northern Ireland. The main objectives of the study include (1) examining
relationships between rural and urban development, (2) identifying the main economic
drivers and successful business models in rural development and (3) providing
evidence-based support for the development of next round of Northern Ireland rural
development programme (NIRDP).
12/2/06
Economic Valuation of NI Agrienvironment Schemes.
This project will explore the benefits and costs of the existing agri-environment schemes
within Northern Ireland and explore whether introducing targeting within future schemes
will increase the potential benefits.
March 2016
12/2/07
Non-market benefits of ecosystem
services delivered by new
woodland
This project aims to identify all the potential ecosystem services delivered through the
creation of new woodland in Northern Ireland to provide evidence to inform the
introduction of support for woodland creation through the EAFRD.
March 2015
12/2/08
Modelling farm business strategies
to reduce GHG emissions.
The project will address the priority need by incorporating Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
emissions into profit maximising farm business models that are representative of farms
in Northern Ireland. This will deepen the farm business modelling capacity that is needed
to assess the economic impact and effectiveness at farm system level of measures to
reduce GHG emissions.
September 2016
12/3/01
An assessment of farmers’
understanding of biosecurity
measures, the consequences of not
applying biosecurity measures and
their attitudes towards applying
biosecurity measures when dealing
with diseases.
The overall objective of this project is to provide DARD with practical information on the
most effective models of technology transfer in terms of communicating statutory
guidance between DARD and farmers in the context of Biosecurity.
March 2015
5
Ref No
Title
Goals of Project
Projected End
Date of Project
March 2015
12/3/02
Diagnosis, epidemiology, pathology
and control of Phytophthora
lateralis, a newly recorded
pathogen of Lawson cypress trees
in Northern Ireland.
The overall objective of the project is to study in detail the development of Phytophthora
lateralis outbreaks at a number of sites in Northern Ireland with the aim of answering the
following questions:
12/3/03
Wild salmon genetic diversity and
health.
To determine for the first time the levels of sea lice infestation in the wild salmon stocks
of Northern Ireland. The project will also determine if, and to what degree escaped
salmon from fish farms have interbred with the wild salmon of Northern Ireland, what
specific farmed salmon strains are involved, and if differences are observed in the levels
of this interbreeding between rivers and regions.
12/3/04
Risk assessment of potential for the
environmental transmission of
Dickeya solani from the processing
of infected imported ware potatoes.
The project aims to assess the risk of the spread of D.solani through wash-water
released from potato processing factories following the processing of contaminated
potatoes and provide recommendations for its control.
March 2014
12/3/05
Practical solutions to reducing tail
biting in NI pig herds.
The overall objective of this project is to provide DARD with practical information on how
tail biting can be reduced in NI systems by methods other than tail docking. This
research programme will consist of a number of sub-objectives:
March 2013
 How was the pathogen introduced?
 How does the pathogen survive?
 How is the pathogen disseminated?
 What is the pattern of disease development?
 What is the role of other potential hosts?
 How effective are current containment / eradication strategies?
 Using P. lateralis as a model, what can be learned that will help improve biosecurity?
 How can containment / eradication strategies be improved?
 What is the biological variation within the NI population of P. lateralis?
 How does the NI population of P. lateralis compare to that from other regions?
April 2014
1. Data-mining of approaches adopted in different member states to reduce tail biting
2. Obtain views of international experts in this field
3. Provide guidance document and recommendations to DARD
12/3/06
Eartag Performance Project.
Evaluation of the factors relating to retention and performance of DARD approved cattle
and sheep eartags in NI field conditions and an assessment of the feasibility of
compulsory use of DNA tissue tags to create a store of tissue samples for cattle identity
analysis as part of the official traceability system.
6
April 2016
Ref No
12/3/07
Title
Goals of Project
Projected End
Date of Project
March 2015
Prevalence, seasonality and
management of insect vectors of
notifiable and emerging animal
diseases.
The implications of the National
Ecosystems Assessment (NI) for
agriculture in NI and DARD policy.
This project will examine the three main vector species associated with livestock in NI:
biting midges, mosquitoes and Tabanidae and assess the seasonality and abundance of
mosquitoes and tabanids, providing guidelines for management of Culicoides.
12/4/02
A review of phosphorus
management on grassland farms in
Northern Ireland and its
implications for grass and livestock
production.
March 2013
12/4/03
Mapping ‘Essential Fish Habitat’ for
Northern Irish Fisheries.
The overall objectives are:
(1) To assess the implications of reducing P surpluses on all grassland farms below 10
kg P ha-1;
(2) To determine if there is a farm P surplus that would be agriculturally and
environmentally sustainable across all grassland enterprises; and
(3) To decide if further refinement of P fertiliser recommendations for grass production is
warranted and feasible.
Primary Objectives of this research is the mapping of essential fish and shellfish habitats
for main commercial species offshore and inshore and an economic analysis to place
monetary values on these habitats and to provide evidence which will inform an
integrated approach to marine spatial planning.
12/4/04
The use of Short Rotation Coppice
(SRC) willow as a multi-functional
crop.
The objectives of the project are to:
 Assess the effectiveness of SRC willow to bioremediate / capture excess nutrients
 Determine the factors influencing the efficacy of willow to bioremediate
 Assess the longer term implications of applying effluent over a prolonged period.
March 2015
12/4/05
Establishment of nitrogen fertiliser
recommendations for grassland
and arable land within Northern
Ireland, including a critique of
RB209 8th Edition
recommendations.
March 2015
12/4/07
Septic tank wastewater discharges
in two contrasting catchments:
Identification, quantification and
distribution of tracers to assess
contribution to P inputs.
The overall objectives of this project are:
1. Conduct a robust and extensive critique of RB209 8th Edition N recommendations.
2. Identify the appropriateness of RB209 (2010) for grassland in Northern Ireland,
including limitations/weaknesses and knowledge gaps. Make recommendations to
DARD on actions required.
3. If necessary, establish a series of field trials to fill knowledge gaps and address
limitations raised.
4. Produce appropriate N recommendations for grassland and arable farmers in
Northern Ireland, which could be used in forthcoming negotiations for the renewal of
the Nitrates Action Programme, and to improve N use efficiency on farms
The overall objective of this project is to identify the distribution of anthropogenic sewage
tracers in rural streams to judge the scale of connectivity of single dwelling septic tanks
to streams. This will permit inferences to be made as to the likely contribution of septic
tanks to phosphorus loads in rural catchments.
12/4/01
The project will examine how DARD policies can contribute across the broad range of
ecosystem services which the industry is delivering (in the context of the UK and NI
National Ecosystem Assessment 2011)
7
April 2013
July 2015
March 2015
Ref No
Title
Goals of Project
12/4/08
Development of beef and sheep
systems for improved sustainability,
biodiversity and delivery of
ecosystem services within hill areas
of Northern Ireland.
Pest management.
The overall aim of this project is to identify breeding strategies to improve the economic
sustainability of hill livestock systems, and to better understand the role of livestock
grazing for maintaining biodiversity and delivering ecosystem services across a range of
habitats and soil types.
12/4/09
This project will examine the specific requirements of the EU Sustainable Use Directive
2009/128/EC and determine the implications for crop protection practices within the
various sectors in NI agriculture and horticulture. In addition, the project will also monitor
pest and disease management practices on NI farms and consider the potential impacts
on the aquatic environment.
8
Projected End
Date of Project
March 2015
March 2014