Rebecca Rooney

Project Title: An investigation into reducing chemical N inputs and the environmental footprint of pasture based sheep production systems.

Overview: Rebecca is investigating the effects of both high and low chemical nitrogen input pasture based sheep production systems across varying sward types. The swards being investigated are perennial ryegrass, perennial ryegrass plus white clover and perennial ryegrass, white clover and plantain.

As part of this research, swards will be assessed in terms of their effect on animal performance and output; and their environmental impact on sheep pasture based systems including nitrate losses and methane emissions.

Rebecca comes from a sheep farm enterprise in Leitrim. She studied in DKIT where she completed an undergraduate degree in Sustainable Agriculture and a masters in Agriculture and Biotechnology. Rebecca has keen interests in sports and farming, with sheep production her passion leading her to this current research.

Programme Area: Grassland Science Department

Supervisors: Dr Philp Creighton, and Prof. Tommy Boland

Location: Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway 

Funding: Teagasc