Reducing organic nitrogen outputs from dairy cows and beef cattle in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones - DB-16-03
Duration 2 years
Team and Leader J.P. Frost and T.W.J. Keady
Organisations involved ARINI, Hillsborough; Environmental Science Division, DARD
Background and Summary
Under EC Council Directive 91/676/EEC, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) have been designated in catchment areas in the British Isles where nitrate from agricultural land is reported to be a source of pollution of watersources. Within NVZ the application of N from animal manures must be less than 250 kg/ha total N each year over the area of grass on the farm, and 210 kg/ha total N averaged over the area not in grass. These limits apply to all manures, including those deposited by grazing animals.
Development of methodology to enable prediction of actual manure N output from dairy cows in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in Northern Ireland - D-27-05
Duration 2 months - Completion date May 2005
Team and Leader M Porter, C Ferris, T Yan and C S Mayne
Organisations iInvolved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland
Background and Summary
Under the Proposed Action Programme Measures for the protection of Northern Ireland's Waters, in response to the EU Nitrates Directive, a single value of 91 kg manure N output per dairy cow per annum has been adopted for Northern Ireland. However, there is evidence from the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland that in some production systems, particularly low input and organic herds, levels of manure N output are considerably less than 91 kg/cow/year.
Improving the effeciency of grass utilisation and nutrient use from slurry under rotational grazing by dairy cows - D-35-07
Duration 4 years
Team and Leader Dr A Dale
Organisations Involved AFBI Hillsborough
Background and Summary
Timescale
Benefits
Details to follow
Improving the efficiency of grass and nutrient use from slurry under rotational grazing by dairy cows D-39-08
Duration 1 year commencing March 2007
Team and Leader A. Dale, C.Ferris, S.Mayne, P. Frost
Organisations involved AFBI
Background and Summary
The improvement of efficiency at farm level will be crucial for the dairy industry moving forward. Increases in grain prices coupled with improvements in global milk prices highlights the necessity to maximise milk from grazed grass.
Expanding output efficiently in Environmentally Friendly Systems (Extension) - D-19-04
Duration 12 month extension to existing programme (1st March 05 - 29 February 06)
Team and Leader Drs C Ferris, M McCoy and D Patterson
Organisations Involved ARINI, Hillsborough and Veterinary Science Div., DARD
Background and Summary
This research programme was established to address two important issues, namely pollution by phosphates, and on-farm labour shortages. However since its initiation, environmental legislation in relation to both phosphates and nitrates has become one of the most critical issues for the Northern Ireland dairy industry.
Read more: Expanding output efficiently in Environmentally Friendly Systems (Extension) - D-19-04