Basic Function:

The position will be based at Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation centre, Grange, Dunsany Co. Meath. Teagasc Grange is Ireland’s leading beef research institute with national responsibility for all aspects of beef production research which include grassland and grazing management, beef breeding and reproduction, animal cow health and welfare, beef quality and beef animal nutrition, plus economic systems analysis. Grange is part of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Teagasc and has extensive facilities for field and laboratory research. The research programme is conducted by over 20 scientific and technical professionals, supported by administrative and operative staff.  Teagasc has an international reputation for researching and developing grass-based systems of livestock production and this candidate will work with a dynamic team of researchers, technologists, technicians, farm staff and specialists at Grange.

Background:

The reliance of Irish beef production on grazed and conserved pasture is the highest in Europe which results in increased competitiveness and resilience of the systems operated. The incorporation of legumes in predominantly perennial ryegrass pastures represents a major opportunity to increase animal performance and reduce environmental impacts in Irish pasture-based beef grazing systems. White and red clovers have nitrogen (N)-fixing characteristics which support reduced nitrogen use and improved digestion efficiencies that can be exploited on grass-based beef systems. However, the supply of plant available N due to fixation and from soil mineralization needs to be better quantified. Furthermore, the factors influencing supply of plant available N require greater investigation. The efficient production of grass silage from legume-based swards and consequent animal and environmental performance is also a key objective of grass-based beef systems. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with a number of colleagues in the Grassland Science Department, beef researchers at Grange and across the Teagasc organization in conjunction with external partners and stakeholders. This work will develop information to support the pasture modelling team at Teagasc to enhance the nutrient sub-models in the MoSt grass growth model and PastureBase Ireland

• Identify the factors to increase grass utilization in perennial ryegrass/white clover swards.
• Develop grazing strategies to optimize the performance of grazing beef cattle at pasture with grass clover swards with low and moderate nitrogen inputs
• Design approaches and experiments to fully understand how grazing and conservation of legumes (specifically white and red clover) can be optimized to deliver higher levels of DM production, N fixation, reduce N surplus and increase N use efficiency.
• Develop new research approaches on best practice management to increase the overall DM productivity and persistence of white clover (grazing) and red clover swards (conservation).
• Investigate the agronomy of productivity aspects of silage swards with/without legumes (DM production, sward quality and animal performance).
• Understand the potential additive role of herb species (plantain, chicory, etc) to Irish grassland systems.
• Develop a range of methodologies to understand the effect of above ground sward dynamics and root dynamics on grazing and conservation growth phases.
• Liase with other members of the Teagasc to develop the swards/legume agronomy research across enterprises and grazing/conservation regimes
• Daily management/supervision of research operations and liaising with research, advisory and education staff to deliver the grassland research programme including the realisation of experimental objectives and protocols
• Ensure the research undertaken can be actively and timely applied on commercial grassland farms
• Actively recruit postgraduate students to underpin the research focus and area
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• To fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations, including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• To carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.