Published on: Sunday, 17 April 2011

Five postgraduate (Ph.D.) positions, as follows, are available in the Grassland Science Research Dept., Animal and Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork.

The positions will be based at Moorepark. Applications (CV and cover letter) are invited from graduates holding or expecting an honours degree in Agricultural Science or related discipline and can be submitted to the contact persons named below by 5 pm on Friday 29th April 2011. Successful applicants will be funded under the Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Scheme and will receive an annual stipend of €21,000 for the duration of the Ph.D.

• Development of grazing guidelines for autumn calving dairy producers
  Teagasc Supervisors: Dr Emer Kennedy, Dr Michael O’Donovan, University Supervisor: Dr Tommy Boland, University College Dublin.
  The objectives of this Ph.D. are to develop farm cover targets and grazing guidelines for winter milk producers; to identify the ideal pre-grazing yield; to investigate the effect of including forage crops in the diet; and to assess the profitability and sustainability of pasture based winter milk systems.
  For further information contact: emer.kennedy@teagasc.ie  or tommy.boland@ucd.ie
• The phosphorus (P) status of Irish dairy herds and reasons for P deficiency
  Teagasc Supervisors: Dr Eva Lewis, Dr Stan Lalor.
  University Supervisor: Prof. Chris Elliot, Queens University of Belfast, Dr John Bailey, AFBI.
  This Ph.D. will establish the extent to which animal P deficiencies are caused by low P intake due to low herbage P concentrations, and also the extent to which low herbage P concentrations are caused by low soil P index and/or low P fertiliser use.
  For further info. contact: eva.lewis@teagasc.ie , stan.lalor@teagasc.ie  or john.bailey@afbini.gov.uk
• Modelling on farm grass growth and grass quality
  Teagasc Supervisors: Dr Deirdre Hennessy, Dr Laurence Shalloo; INRA Supervisor: Luc Delaby
  University Supervisor: Dr Declan O’Connor, Cork Institute of Technology.
  The objectives of this Ph.D. are to evaluate factors affecting herbage production on farm; to incorporate these factors into a grass growth model; to develop a pasture quality model; and to combine the grass growth and pasture quality models into a decision support tool for use on farm.
  For further info. contact: deirdre.hennessy@teagasc.ie  or declan.oconnor@cit.ie  or luc.delaby@rennes.inra.fr
• Strategies to increase white clover use in intensive dairy production systems
  Teagasc Supervisors: Dr Deirdre Hennessy, Dr Michael O’Donovan
  University Supervisor: Dr Bridget Lynch, University College Dublin
  The objectives of this Ph.D. are to identify the structural and seasonal growth characteristics required of companion grasses for white clover; to examine the effect of seeding rate on the establishment and persistence of white clover; and to develop grazing management systems to increase white clover use on dairy farms with stocking rates greater than 2.2 LU/ha
  For further information contact: deirdre.hennessy@teagasc.ie  or bridget.lynch@ucd.ie
• Toward an understanding of the differential productivity and persistency responses to simulated and cattle grazing managements of perennial ryegrass cultivar genotypes
  Teagasc Supervisors: Dr Michael O’Donovan, Dr Mary McEvoy
  University Supervisor: Prof. Chris Elliot, Queens University of Belfast, Dr Trevor Gilliland, AFBI
  The objectives of this Ph.D. are to identify the differences in persistency between cultivar genotypes when exposed to difference management regimes; to quantify the level of sward persistency and dry matter production on commercial grassland farms; and to develop the economic value of sward persistency for inclusion in the grass selection index.
  For further information contact: michael.odonovan@teagasc.ie  or trevor.gilliland@afbini.gov.uk