Marie O’Rourke

Project Title: Effect of genetic potential for carcass fatness and sward species composition on methane emissions and the composition and functionality of the rumen microbiome in beef cattle

Overview: In this project, Marie will assess the effects of multi species swards on enteric methane emissions and diversity, abundance and functionality of rumen bacteria and archaeal communities. These diets will be assessed across two beef cattle genotypes divergent of genetic potential for carcass fatness. The microbial data will be correlated with methane emissions and production data to provide a greater understanding of the mechanism of the effects of sward type on the rumen microbiome and overall environmental impact.

Whilst Ireland ranks favourably on any metric of production and environmental sustainability, there is vast potential to reduce national emissions and achieve the 2030 GHG emissions reduction target, as well as the 2050 carbon neutrality target.

Being familiar with agricultural environmental schemes, and engaging with scientific literature, Marie is keen to further improve the sustainability of beef systems and this PhD stands clear in terms of reducing the national agricultural carbon footprint, whilst also improving animal efficiencies. The aim of Marie’s research is to quantify the methane reduction potential of MSS, as well as the effect of MSS on the rumen microbiome and to see these results replicated at farm level. Citizen science will pave the way in terms of meeting national emissions targets.

Marie received a first class honours in Agricultural Science, majoring in Animal Science from UCD. Having grown up on a beef farm in Ballyfin, Co. Laois, Marie understands the need to improve technical efficiencies in the national beef herd.

Programme Area: Animal Bioscience

Supervisors: Prof. David Kenny, Prof. Sinead Waters and Dr. Alan Kelly

Location: Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath

Funding Source: Teagasc