Klervi Le Floch
Project Title: Development of a clover sub-model to improve the simulation and prediction capability of the MoSt GG model
Overview: The MoSt GG model is used to predict grass growth of perennial-ryegrass swards for the coming week on commercial farms and to run scenarios to inform policy makers on the impact of different N fertilizer application strategies and management strategies on N leaching and grass production. Although Ireland has a derogation from the nitrate directive for farm organic N stocking and chemical N application rate, it is expected that the amount of chemical N fertilizers that farmers will be allowed to apply will be reduced in the future. The ability of the model to be able to simulate growth on grass-clover swards will be a necessity as clover will be one of the main mitigation strategies to reduce the use of chemical N fertilizers as it possesses the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Klervi is working on improving the Moorepark St Gilles Grass Growth Model by developing a clover submodel. The objective is to simulate clover growth under different weather conditions, N managements and soil types, as well as herbage N content to predict the impact of different management strategies on the nutritive value of the sward for the animal. The model will then be used to investigate the impact of climate change on grass clover swards in Ireland.
Klervi is interested in developing more efficient and sustainable farming strategies as much as in helping farmers to implement them by addressing the perceived risks. She is interested in the potential of modelling to guide the adaptation of farming practices and to develop user-friendly tools that can be used by farmers in their day-to-day operations.
She completed her Bachelor's degree in biology in the University of Quebec in Rimouski (Canada) and her Master's degree in biology and agrisciences in the Institut Agro and the University of Rennes in Rennes (France).
Programme area: Grassland Science
Supervisors: Elodie Ruelle, Frank Buckley, Deirdre Hennessy
Location: Teagasc Moorepark
Funding source: Teagasc