The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nutrition and health claims on willingness to try and perceived healthiness of multiple cheese product concepts. Consumers (n = 603) from Ireland and the UK completed an online survey on cheese attitudes and usage. Factor analysis was used to generate constructs related to innovativeness, habits and health. These constructs were used in cluster analysis. Two clusters were identified: the “healthy and curious” (n = 363, health-interested, innovative and externally influenced) and the “traditional users” (n = 240, cost and convenience). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS v29 (IBM, USA). Consumers were most willing to try full-fat cheese, despite being perceived as less healthy (P < 0.001). Low-fat cheese was regarded as a healthier (P < 0.0001) option but had a lower willingness to try (P < 0.005). The addition of nutritional claims relating to protein, vitamins and health claims for muscle and bone health increased the perceived healthiness (P < 0.001) but decreased willingness to try relative to full-fat cheese (P < 0.05). The “healthy and curious” were more willing to try cheeses with nutrition and health claims (P < 0.01) than “traditional users” (P < 0.001). A moderate to strong positive correlation was observed between perceived healthiness and willingness to try (r = 0.504 to r = 0.626, P < 0.001). This study offers original insights into how consumers balance health perceptions and preferences, particularly within segmented consumer groups. Unlike previous research, it specifically examines the differential impact of nutritional claims across consumer segments for cheese. The findings highlight the importance of targeted and segment-specific population health strategies.
Digestate, a by-product of anaerobic digestion (AD), is a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with variations depending on feedstock. As Ireland anticipates expanding AD plants, increased digestate production and storage pose environmental challenges. This study tested a peroxide-based additive, previously effective in reducing methane (CH 4 ) emissions from cattle slurry, on unpasteurised digestate to evaluate its CH 4 mitigation potential. Digestate stored for 40 d at ambient conditions (average temperature: 9°C) was treated with hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide, with emissions compared to untreated digestate. The treatment digestate reduced CH 4 emissions by 74% (control digestate: 4.61 kg CO 2 eq m −2 ; treatment digestate: 1.21 kg CO 2 eq m −2 ) and total GHG emissions by 49% (control digestate: 6.02 kg CO 2 eq m −2 ; treatment digestate: 3.08 kg CO 2 eq m −2 ). However, CO 2 emissions increased due to foam formation caused by the additive. These results highlight the potential of CH 4 -inhibiting additives, recommending larger-scale trials to validate their effectiveness on stored digestate.
The English grain aphid Sitobion avenae is a major pest of cereals in Europe, with control hindered by pyrethroid resistance in a single clonal lineage (SA3) due to a mutation in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene (knockdown resistance or kdr). In 2018, the European Union banned neonicotinoid seed treatments for outdoor use, leaving pyrethroids as the only chemical control. We hypothesised that this ban and reliance on pyrethroids would increase the prevalence of S. avenae with kdr. A 3-yr survey of 155 winter barley crops was conducted to assess if the prevalence of S. avenae with kdr had increased following the neonicotinoid ban. Our survey showed that the percentage of kdr-carrying S. avenae was lower than in surveys before the neonicotinoid ban. Notably, no S. avenae homozygous for the kdr mutation were found. We conclude there is currently no evidence of an increase in S. avenae carrying kdr following the neonicotinoid ban.
The effects of delayed autumn closing of perennial ryegrass-based swards on silage dry matter production and quality from first cut silage harvest the following season were evaluated in a plot experiment conducted at Hillsborough, Northern Ireland. Last defoliation as a simulated grazing cut was completed in mid-September, mid-November or mid-January in 2018/2019 and in 2019/2020. Silage dry matter yields from plots defoliated in September were significantly higher than those from plots defoliated in January in both seasons. Defoliation in January resulted in silage with significantly lower ammonia nitrogen as a fraction of total nitrogen compared with defoliation in September in both seasons, with a significant timing × year interaction. Silage metabolisable energy was significantly higher for plots defoliated in November 2018 and January 2019 compared with those defoliated in September 2018. There were statistically significant effects of defoliation timing for acid detergent fibre and volatile corrected organic dry matter but not for other silage quality parameters.
Agriculture accounts for over 99% of ammonia emissions in Ireland. Furthermore, the country has not met its emissions reduction commitments agreed upon with the European Union (EU) for several years. This research explores the cost-effectiveness of a suite of ammonia mitigation measures relevant to animal-based agriculture that pre-dominate across Ireland, modelled under three economic activity scenarios (i.e., business as usual scenario, lower activity and higher activity levels) and three technology adoption rates (i.e., lower, moderate and higher) over the 2022 to 2033 period. Findings show the significant influence of assumptions about future agricultural activity and adoption rates on emissions projections, emphasising the importance of considering these uncertainties when assessing the ability to achieve ammonia emission reduction commitments. From the 13 mitigation measures examined for bovine, pig and poultry farms, the potential ammonia mitigation ranged from 0.03 for covered slurry storage tanks to 5.22 kt/yr for low-emission slurry spreading on bovine farms. The use of urea stabilised with a urease inhibitor, clover establishment on intensive dairy farms, liming and reduction of crude protein in bovine and pig diets were found to be cost-negative in all three adoption rates and economic activity scenarios. Finally, moderate and higher technology adoption rates assumed in this study will allow Ireland to abate enough ammonia to comply with the EU emission reduction commitments under the business as usual and lower economic activity scenarios. The higher technology adoption rates assumed in this study are required to achieve the ammonia emission reduction commitment for a higher economic activity scenario.
Taking the Irish Hen Harrier Winter Survey (IHHWS) as a case study, we present an example of how citizen science, when carefully configured, coordinated and communicated, can make a valuable contribution to nature conservation and feed into decision-making on land use, plans, projects and policies. The hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a rare and declining species, significantly impacted by changes at the site and landscape levels. Conservation assessments, conservation measures and appropriate planning depend on accurate and reliable data, as well as the proper use of such data and information. Prior to the IHHWS, founded in 2004, the non-breeding (“winter”) ecology of this Annex 1 species in Ireland was effectively unstudied. A large knowledge gap existed in terms of where hen harriers spent 75% of the year (August–March). Thus, their ecological requirements and the issues facing their conservation remained unknown. After more than two decades of this national survey, which has been run voluntarily and as a citizen science study, a solid understanding of these matters has been developed. Gaps have been bridged between science, policy and decision-making to safeguard sensitive sites and to effect positive outcomes for this threatened species. This paper works through the experience of integrating citizen science into decision-making and conservation action at various levels. It is likely to be of interest to many, particularly policymakers and those contributing to or coordinating citizen science studies focussed on protecting the natural environment.
Storage of cattle slurry is a major source of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Chemical acidification and slurry additives can reduce these emissions, particularly NH3 and methane (CH4) emissions. However, the efficacy of commercially available biological slurry additives in lowering emissions is unknown. This study investigated the effectiveness of six commercially available slurry additives and sulphuric acid in reducing NH3 and CH4 emissions for improved cattle manure management. Sulphuric acid was the only effective treatment at reducing emissions from stored cattle slurry, with 41% and 74% reductions in NH3 and CH4, respectively, relative to the untreated slurry. However, commercial slurry additives failed to significantly reduce either of these emissions. This study confirms that chemical acidification is currently the best method for reducing NH3 and CH4 emissions from stored cattle slurry.
Growing concerns about the impact of pesticides on human health, non-target organisms and the environment have led to stricter regulations and efforts to reduce pesticide use in agriculture. This paper examines whether existing research can shed light on how reducing pesticide use, as proposed by the European Union’s (EU’s) Farm to Fork Strategy, might affect crop performance in Ireland. To explore this, we conducted a systematic review of global studies on the effects of using fewer pesticides in farming, refining our focus to EU-level evidence to ensure relevance to Irish cropping systems. While the review uncovered average yield losses broadly in line with previous EU projections, it also revealed high variability across crops, countries and study methods, particularly the lack of robust, crop- and region-specific evidence needed to inform national-level planning. These limitations suggest that reliable impact assessments for Ireland cannot be based solely on existing international literature. Accordingly, there is a clear need for targeted empirical research on the impact of reduced pesticide use in farming systems, especially to evaluate the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to mitigate yield and economic losses under Irish conditions. However, given the systemic risks associated with continued reliance on chemical inputs, including resistance development, regulatory pesticide withdrawals and environmental degradation, this vital empirical research need not delay forward planning. A parallel focus on scenario-based foresight and adaptive IPM strategy development can help guide sustainable transitions in the face of uncertainty.
In recent years there has been an increase in the interest in, and use of, non-inversion crop establishment systems. Growers mainly adopt these systems to reduce crop establishment costs and labour demand. Despite these systems being successfully operated in drier climates, limited research indicates these systems may be challenged with poorer establishment, inconsistent yields and increased pressure from grass weeds in wetter climates, possibly impacting on the financial performance of these systems. The suitability of conventional replicated trials for extrapolating performance to farm level is frequently questioned for systems-type research. Therefore, research was undertaken to compare the performance of plough, min-till and direct drill systems growing crops of first winter wheat, using both a replicated field trial and an on-farm trial. In the replicated trial, where all management (except the herbicide regime) was identical between system treatments, there was no significant difference in gross margin. In the on-farm study, which monitored 21 fields per year (seven of each system), there were significant differences in outputs due to yield differences. Direct drill farms tended to have lower yields and a lower spend on inputs, which combined with lower crop establishment costs, compensated for the lower yields, resulting in similar gross margins as the other systems. Similar gross margins between systems indicate sustainability issues such as weed control and soil quality maintenance, and the impact of future climate change on non-inversion systems should determine which systems are adopted in the long term.
The dairy industry has recognised the importance of compositional analysis of raw milk. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a promising tool for real-time analysis of raw milk composition, supporting value-added in manufacturing as well as product-specific yields and quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate an NIR spectrometer attached to a transflectance probe via optical fibre to quantify the macro-composition of raw milk under both laboratory and inline conditions at different flow rates. A total of 350 raw milk samples were collected to develop calibration models for fat, protein, lactose, total solids, and casein. The results showed good prediction accuracy for fat (root mean square error of prediction, [RMSEP] = 0.12%), protein (RMSEP = 0.09%), total solids (RMSEP = 0.18%), casein (RMSEP = 0.06%), and lactose (RMSEP = 0.09%) under laboratory conditions. However, prediction accuracy for inline measurement decreased significantly for total solids (RMSEP = 0.36%) and lactose (RMSEP = 0.30%), although it remained similar for other components. Flow rate variability during inline measurement did not affect prediction performance; however, repeated measurements showed deviations in predicted results, indicating slightly lower repeatability.
Geoprivacy protection is a significant concern when sharing agricultural data with geographical information. Open and transparent access to agricultural data is essential to optimise its use, as well as integration with other data sources, such as environmental and climate data to support agri-environmental research. However, the choice of obfuscation method is crucial for achieving maximum statistical accuracy and geoprivacy protection in shared agricultural data. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of obfuscated data in solving real-world problems. Random forest and multilinear regression models were used to predict soil organic carbon (SOC) based on internal (soil-related) and external (climate) features under three scenarios. The model estimations of SOC using original data were compared to model estimations of SOC using two datasets derived from obfuscation techniques, the environmental similarity obfuscation method (ESOM) and Rand. ESOM is a novel cluster-oriented obfuscation method that considers the importance of the contribution of contextual factors (external/climate conditions) in agri-environmental research, which guarantees that obfuscated data are relocated to areas of the same external conditions (in this instance climate) as the original data. Rand is a simple, yet widely used, obfuscation method that transfers the original location to a random location inside an obfuscation area. The results demonstrate that ESOM SOC estimation is more accurate than that obtained using the Rand method, despite the low modelled impact of climate conditions on the SOC estimation. In addition to the importance of feature selection and prediction models in achieving high accuracy and enhancing model performance, the choice of obfuscation method is another crucial factor when the use of original data is restricted. Therefore, while integrating internal and external features can improve results, it is essential to carefully assess how these features impact accuracy when selecting an obfuscation method.
Younger beef cattle can have superior meat quality than older animals, but this depends on the difference in finishing age. Finishing beef cattle at a younger age is one strategy suggested to decrease methane emissions. This study examined the effect of decreasing the finishing age of early-maturing breed suckler heifers on carcass fatness, feed conversion efficiency, meat quality and predicted methane emissions when slaughtered at the same carcass weight from a similar ration. Heifers were offered concentrates ad libitum (dry matter [DM] intake 7.7 kg per head daily) and 1.2 kg grass silage DM per head daily for a 174-d finishing period and slaughtered at 17.7 mo of age or a restricted amount of the same ration (5.2 and 1.0 kg of concentrates and grass silage DM per head daily, respectively) for 230 d such that they were 19.7 mo of age at slaughter. Younger slaughter-age animals grew faster (0.97 vs. 0.79 kg/day), had a similar carcass weight (259 kg), greater fatness (10.8 vs. 9.4 on a 1 [very lean] –15 [very fat] scale), poorer feed efficiency (9.1 vs. 7.9 kg DM/kg live weight gain) and greater predicted methane per day (184 vs. 130 g) and in total (32 vs. 30 kg) during the finishing period compared to the older animals. Trained assessors detected no difference in meat tenderness, texture and overall liking between the two slaughter age groups. It is concluded that for early-maturing suckler heifers with a similar carcass weight on a common diet, decreasing finishing age by 2 mo does not enhance beef eating quality but increases carcass fat classification and methane emissions.
“Grass-fed” beef can command a premium in some markets based on perceived differences in appearance and sensory characteristics. The influence of producing cattle from grazed pasture (grass-fed) or indoors from a pasture silage and concentrate ration (grass-based) on selected sensory characteristics of beef within a heifer production system was examined. In Experiment 1, Spring-born heifers were at pasture for 209 d or at pasture for 166 d and then housed and offered grass silage and concentrates (SC) for 63 d, prior to slaughter. In Experiment 2, Spring-born heifers were at pasture or indoors and offered SC for 174 d prior to slaughter. The target carcass weight in both experiments was 260 kg. Post slaughter, carcass fat and muscle colour were measured and a descriptive flavour profile of cooked longissimus muscle was assessed by a trained sensory panel. In general, fat was more yellow and muscle was darker in grass-fed cattle compared to cattle-fed SC. When slaughter age and carcass weight were similar, or when slaughter age differed but the carcass weight was similar, beef was rated similarly for tenderness and a range of flavours by a trained sensory panel. It is concluded that the modification of the grass-fed beef heifer production system examined in these studies had a minor effect on the appearance and sensory characteristics of beef.
Significant amounts of fruit and vegetables are lost or wasted along their supply chain. A possible way to achieve reduction of food waste is to reuse the lost materials as upcycled ingredients. The aim of this study was to explore what factors influence the willingness of students from two countries with different culinary traditions to consume foods containing these ingredients. An online survey was distributed to students in France (n = 86) and Ireland (n = 99), gathering data on sociodemographic characteristics, food choice motives, food disgust and neophobia and willingness to consume different food products before and after being provided with information on the origin of the ingredients. Items related to food disgust and neophobia were negatively correlated with willingness to consume the investigated products. The findings showed that willingness to consume products containing upcycled ingredients may be product related in each country as participants in France were more willing to consume ice cream than their Irish counterparts, who after being informed that upcycled ingredients were used were more willing to consume crisps. These differences could be linked to differences in the food choice motives, as students in France considered familiarity, convenience, affordability and tradition important, while naturalness was important for the participants from Ireland. For both groups, paired t-test showed that willingness to consume the foods reduced after participants were informed about the origin of the ingredients. The findings of this pilot study provide the basis for further product development of foods containing upcycled ingredients.
Nitrogen (N) leached losses from temperate grassland systems can negatively impact the water quality of associated water bodies. Consequently, strategies are needed to help farmers manage and reduce losses. The present 3-yr study examined leached N losses on well, moderate and poorly drained intact soil lysimeters installed within a grazed field in Ireland. Lysimeters were grazed uniformly and received N fertiliser treatments of either urea early in the growing season followed by calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) or urea + the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) season long. No significant effect of fertiliser treatment on annual nitrate (NO3−-N) leached losses was observed. Leached losses of 11.1–73.6 kg NO3−-N ha−1 and NH4+-N losses of 1.1–18 kg ha−1 were measured. In a third year when no N fertiliser was applied and input of animal excreta was excluded but grass was removed, losses of 1.5–7.1 kg NO3−-N ha−1 and 0.1 kg NH4+-N ha−1 were recorded. The moderately drained soil had the highest NO3−-N losses and the poorly drained soil had the highest NH4+-N losses. These findings show that urea-CAN and urea + NBPT fertiliser programmes result in similar N leaching and that soil is an important factor, that differentially mediates the level of N loss that will occur at a given stocking rate and inorganic fertiliser input level.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) models are used to determine the carbon footprint of grain. Few have been adapted for Irish conditions. We developed an LCA for Irish grain that computed greenhouse gas emissions from cradle to farm-gate. It utilised national research to determine agricultural emissions and carbon sequestration in CO2 equivalents (CO2 e). Gross and net emissions were quantified based on inputs levels and related to crop yield at standard moisture levels to derive carbon footprints. The model was applied to a random sample of large-scale Tirlán growers (n = 48). Approximately 95% of their output in 2022 was accounted for by six crops: winter wheat (WW), winter barley (WB), spring malting barley (SMB), winter oats (WO), winter oilseed rape (WOSR) and spring feed barley (SFB). In gross terms, WO, WW, WB and WOSR had mean carbon footprints of 207, 217, 229 and 384 kg CO2 e/t, respectively. Spring crops’ mean gross carbon footprints ranged from 207 kg CO2 /t for oats to 238 kg CO2/t for SFB. Average gross carbon footprints for these large-scale growers were in the lower end of international estimates. Mean footprints for OSR were significantly greater than cereals or beans. However, in energy terms, net carbon footprint for OSR did not differ from other crops (excluding oats), which underscores the importance of footprint units. Net footprints were lower than gross footprints for oats, barley and OSR due to straw incorporation and were near net zero for WO. Further enhancing sequestration through management change will support the sector achieve net zero.
The importance of finding alternative protein sources to partially replace dietary meat intake has been emphasised. A comparison of different plant-based protein sources, namely cereals (wheat, barley, oats), brassicas (oilseed rape) and legumes (peas, beans), in terms of economic, environmental and nutritional metrics, would help identify optimal strategies for protein production. Due to potential complementarity in a crop rotation production system, including cereals, brassicas and legumes should be investigated as a potential action for stakeholders. This study focuses on the Republic of Ireland, an interesting case study given the limited share of legumes in arable land despite somewhat favourable bio-physical conditions and an increased emphasis on crop rotation financial support under the latest Irish Common Agricultural Policy strategic plan. Our results indicate that legume production is more efficient than oilseed rape and cereal production in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and protein yield, but legumes’ gross margin per hectare is less that of cereals. Greenhouse gas emissions per 100 g of protein is also lower for legumes compared to other crops. All scenarios modelled enhanced crop rotations in Ireland and led to an increase in gross margin and protein yield, as well as a decrease in GHG emissions per hectare. Crop rotations including cereals, legumes and brassicas have the potential to support agricultural GHG emissions reduction in Ireland. To realise these benefits, public policies should address the barriers to protein crop production such as the lack of market outlets. Rewarding the agronomic risks associated with legume production should also be emphasised.
Ecologically functioning soils are increasingly viewed as a key component of sustainable agriculture, a means of sequestering carbon and a major contributor to farmland biodiversity. It is generally considered that intensively managed agricultural systems are associated with reduced soil health and require high chemical inputs to maintain soil nutrients. It is important, therefore, to clarify which soil parameters exhibit clear differences between high- and low-intensity farm management and, subsequently, which parameters might then be considered as meaningful indicators of soil health. This study investigated 30 physico-chemical properties of soils collected from 31 Irish farms. Although several soil parameters showed clear differences between the two study areas (Counties Sligo and Wexford), a much smaller subset of properties showed meaningful differences among intensively, intermediately and extensively managed farms. The clearest patterns were shown by several, co-correlated, carbon-based properties, which were all lower in farms under intensive management. The average total carbon content of intensively managed farms was <5%, and we suggest that this might be used as an initial threshold indicator of a degraded and/or low-carbon soil for Irish farms. In general, our study adds additional support for the use of carbon-based parameters as indicators of farm soil health, but further work is needed to ascertain whether different calibrations are required in different regions and for different soil types. In a wider ecological capacity, soil carbon could be included in a suite of environmental and ecological indicators, such as habitat heterogeneity, floral richness and invertebrate diversity, already proposed as measures of farm nature value.
Barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDVs) belong to a complex of several species, all vectored by aphids. Due to the abundance of Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi, BYDV-MAV and BYDV-PAS are among the prevalent species in Irish crops. Several BYDV detection methods, such as immunosorbent assays and PCR-based diagnostic tests, are available and routinely used. However, there are opportunities to develop improved assays to capture viral load information from different sample matrices. Here, we successfully developed a droplet digital PCR assay to detect and quantify BYDV-MAV and BYDV-PAS in both aphid and barley samples. The high specificity shown by this assay allows us to differentiate the two species from each other within a wide dynamic range. This assay will provide a better overview of the process underlying BYDV infection and transmission from the early stage of infection to the appearance of the symptoms.
