Watch: Multispecies Swards and Methane Emissions on Curtin's Farm

Charlie Dwan and Alann Jezequel tell us about their research on Curtin's Farm, they will be at Moorepark Open Day on July 4th with more information.
The objective of the project on Curtins farm is to compare the performance of three farmlets with PRG, PRG-White clover and an 8-species multispecies sward. Each of the three swards are grazed by high Economic Breeding Index Holstein-Friesian and Jersey Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows. Each farmlet is managed with a stocking rate of 2.50 cows/ha and in line with the objective of reducing the chemical N fertiliser, the PRG farmlets receive 250 kg N/ha per year while both the PRG-White clover and the multispecies farmlets receive 125 kg N/ha year. To evaluate the performance of these three swards, detailed pasture and animal performance measurements are undertaken since 2021.
In 2023 we are also measuring enteric methane emissions from the cows in Curtin’s farm. Diet has a large effect on methane missions so it is important that we understand the effects of alternative swards if we are to reduce our national emissions. Breeding may also be a useful tool in achieving our emission targets and for that reason we are evaluating the effect of crossbreeding on methane. Previous work on the next generation has have shown elite EBI cows are more environmentally efficient compared to national average cows and there may be further efficiencies in using Jersey genetics.
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Come to the Moorepark Open Day on July 4th to learn more
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