Grassland Climate Adaptation Conference
Irish grassland systems are experiencing some clear climatic challenges. The incidence of high-level precipitation events, soil moisture deficits and prolonged winter conditions, as well as dry summer periods, are becoming increasingly frequent resulting in challenging conditions for Irish farmers. Join us for our Climate Adaptation Conference on Tuesday, 15 October 2024 at Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork.
The conference is focussed on addressing key climate adaptations that Irish grassland systems must implement and address in the years ahead.
The objective of this conference is to identify the significant risks and opportunities for Irish grassland systems and to highlight the knowledge gaps that may exist which require an additional research focus. Key areas such as grass and clover breeding, grassland modelling, weather and grass production trends, as well as the latest research findings will form part of the conference. The conference is very much focussed on addressing the key climate adaptations that Irish grassland systems must implement and address in the years ahead. The conference sponsor is the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Commenting ahead of the conference, Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director said; ’the Irish grassland livestock production system now has a lot more climate challenges; in 2024, we experienced a wet and cold spring, combined with intermittent dry periods throughout the summer, both having impacts on grass growth and utilisation, and more recently wet weather in parts of the country. This conference aims to address these challenges and prepare our solutions for the years ahead’.
He added; “it is great to have some leading scientists addressing this topic. Dr Alan Stewart, Head Grass Breeder and Scientist with PGG Wrightsons seeds, New Zealand and Mr Luc Delaby, Grassland Scientist with INRAe France are two keynote speakers participating in the conference at Moorepark.”
Professor Micheal O’Donovan, Head of Grassland Science in Teagasc, commented: ‘the conference is a good mix of very high calibre international and national speakers giving their perspectives of climate adaptation for grass-based systems and in the afternoon, delegates will get a chance to view and discuss some of the climate adaptation research themes which are in place in Teagasc Moorepark research farm’.
Dr Deidre Hennessy, Sustainable Grassland Lecturer at University College Cork, who will also be a contributor to the conference added; ‘Grassland is the cornerstone of Irish livestock production systems which are globally efficient food production systems. These systems must adapt to climate change to promote economic and environmental sustainability and resilience of our systems into the future, and research can support that adaptation’.
Find out more or register to attend the conference here