Irish Livestock Research Articles

Dynamism in a Stagnating Sector: The Birth of Ireland's Beef Industry 1950–60

Between 1949 and 1960 Irish carcass beef exports increased eight-fold, expanding from 6,400 tons to over 50,000 tons. This unprecedented growth marked a fundamental shift in the structure of the Irish livestock industry, as the country moved from an almost exclusive dependence on the live cattle exports in 1949 to a situation where forty per cent of animals were shipped as beef eleven years later. This article examines why Ireland embraced beef processing, who were the main actors in the emerging industry, and where were the primary markets. Moreover, the article details how beef processors restructured their operations and reorientated their exports to Britain and the US following a major downturn in demand between 1954 and 1956. It also assesses the implications of the industry's success for the farm sector and for the historiography of Irish agriculture in the 1950s.

Reassessing the warming impact of methane emissions from Irish livestock using GWP*: historical trends and sustainable futures

Methane from livestock production contributes significantly to Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. Methane emissions are generally expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) using the global warming potential (GWP) metric, but this conversion may result in an inaccurate assessment, because methane has a much shorter atmospheric lifespan than CO2. This study calculated the CO2e of methane emissions from Irish livestock using the GWP and GWP* metrics, the latter of which accounts for the short-lived nature of atmospheric methane. Methane emissions from all Irish livestock (1961–2020) were included and three projected scenarios to 2050 were hypothesised: increasing emissions, decreasing emissions and constant emissions. The CO2e of methane from Irish livestock was found to be influenced by changes in the rate of emission over the preceding decades. Using the GWP* metric, declining populations of donkeys and horses from 1961 to 2000 were shown to cause atmospheric removals of methane when expressed as CO2e. Increasing populations of swine and non-dairy cattle (in response to industrial changes and European Union [EU] regulations) saw significant increases in the CO2e of methane emissions from these sources. Milk quotas caused a significant reduction in the CO2e of methane emissions from dairy cows, and atmospheric removals were observed in the years 1990–2012. GWP* indicated that the constant and decreasing future emission scenarios gave more significant reductions in CO2e than the GWP. These results indicate the importance of the effect of emission rate on the CO2e of methane from Irish livestock, which is accounted for using GWP*, but not by the conventional GWP.

Ireland’s Commodity Frontiers

Abstract Commodity frontiers are transnational zones of ecological exploitation that have provided agricultural products and raw materials for international markets since the early modern era. As such, commodity frontiers have played a crucial role in the expansion and development of global capitalism by supplying items including cereals, meat, cotton, sugar, coal, iron, and oil. This article argues that rural Ireland was part of capitalism’s commodity frontiers from the sixteenth century and demonstrates how changing patterns of Irish livestock and grain production—as well as related local and national socioeconomic changes—were tied to global trends and influences. This article also suggests that the case study of the history of Irish agriculture within the context of the world economy’s commodity frontiers contributes to the debates surrounding the historiographical movement associated with the new history of capitalism.

Solutions to enteric methane abatement in Ireland

The efficiency of Ireland’s grass-based livestock systems can be attributed to high outputs, low production costs and a low carbon footprint relative to housed systems. Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) of which enteric fermentation from livestock production is a key source, being directly responsible for 57% of Irish agricultural GHG emissions. There are a number of strategies including dietary manipulation and breeding initiatives that have shown promising results as potential mitigation solutions for ruminant livestock production. However, the majority of international research has predominantly been conducted on confined systems. Given the economic viability of Irish livestock systems, it is vital that any mitigation methods are assessed at pasture. Such research cannot be completed without access to suitable equipment for measuring CH4 emissions at grazing. This review documents the current knowledge capacity in Ireland (publications and projects) and includes an inventory of equipment currently available to conduct research. A number of strategic research avenues are identified herein that warrant further investigation including breeding initiatives and dietary manipulation. It was notable that enteric CH4 research seems to be lacking in Ireland as it constituted 14% of Irish agricultural GHG research publications from 2016 to 2021. A number of key infrastructural deficits were identified including respiration chambers (there are none currently operational in the Republic of Ireland) and an urgent need for more pasture-based GreenFeed™ systems. These deficits will need to be addressed to enable inventory refinement, research progression and the development of effective solutions to enteric CH4 abatement in Ireland.

Combining expert knowledge and machine-learning to classify herd types in livestock systems

A detailed understanding of herd types is needed for animal disease control and surveillance activities, to inform epidemiological study design and interpretation, and to guide effective policy decision-making. In this paper, we present a new approach to classify herd types in livestock systems by combining expert knowledge and a machine-learning algorithm called self-organising-maps (SOMs). This approach is applied to the cattle sector in Ireland, where a detailed understanding of herd types can assist with on-going discussions on control and surveillance for endemic cattle diseases. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the SOM algorithm has been used to differentiate livestock systems. In compliance with European Union (EU) requirements, relevant data in the Irish livestock register includes the birth, movements and disposal of each individual bovine, and also the sex and breed of each bovine and its dam. In total, 17 herd types were identified in Ireland using 9 variables. We provide a data-driven classification tree using decisions derived from the Irish livestock registration data. Because of the visual capabilities of the SOM algorithm, the interpretation of results is relatively straightforward and we believe our approach, with adaptation, can be used to classify herd type in any other livestock system.

The study of rotavirus phylogenetic diversity, re-assortment and interspecies transmission and associated virome in Northern Irish livestock and wildlife

Background Rotavirus (RV) is a highly infectious pathogen of livestock causing diarrhoea and dehydration, and substantial economic loss. RV is an RNA virus with a segmented genome that has evolved significantly creating diverse strains. RV is believed to be endemic within livestock and the genotyping of positive isolates will allow the diversity of the rotavirus to be phylogenetically mapped for evidence of re-assortment and interspecies transmission. Rotavirus positive samples and rotavirus negative samples were examined using a metagenomics approach through next generation sequencing (NGS) to study the virome of symptomatic animals. Methods RV in symptomatic livestock, and a small subset of wildlife and exotic animal faeces samples (n=326), originating from Northern Ireland, were screened by RT PCR for the RV VP6 gene. NGS libraries using a de novo metagenomics approach were run on the MiSeq reagent V3 600 cycle as pairend reads. Data was quality checked by Fast QC, assembled in SPAdes, processed through NCBI blast (n) and then MEGAN to display the taxonomical content. Results The prevalence of RV VP6 gene was n=108 (33 %). Initial Sanger sequencing results showed porcine G3, G4 and G5 and bovine P7 and P13 strains. Preliminary metagenomic results indicates re-assortment and interspecies transmission with a positive bovine sample showing RV acquired re-assortment from human and equine RV strains. Analysis shows there is a large viral community present in both RV positive and RV negative animals. The metagenomic profiling through NGS data set will give a better understanding of the symptomatic virome in livestock.

Spatial patterns of Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron daubneyi infections in ruminants in Ireland and modelling of C. daubneyi infection

BackgroundFasciola hepatica has always represented a threat to Irish livestock because the Irish climate is highly suitable for the main local intermediate host of the parasite, the snail Galba truncatula. The recent clinical emergence of infections due to Calicophoron daubneyi has raised the question of whether the two parasites, which share a niche during part of their life-cycles, interact in some way. Here, we used geographical information systems (GIS) to analyse the distribution of both parasites in cattle and sheep. We also developed the first predictive model of paramphistomosis in Ireland.ResultsOur results indicated that, in cattle, liver fluke infection is less common than rumen fluke infection and does not exhibit the same seasonal fluctuations. Overall, we found that cattle had a higher likelihood of being infected with rumen fluke than sheep (OR = 3.134, P < 0.01). In addition, infection with one parasite increased the odds of infection with the other in both host species. Rumen fluke in cattle showed the highest spatial density of infection. Environmental variables such as soil drainage, land cover and habitat appeared to be the most important risk factors for C. daubneyi infection, followed by rainfall and vegetation. Overall the risk of infection with this parasite was predicted to be higher in the west of the country.ConclusionsThis study shows differences between the infection rates and spatial patterns of bovine and ovine infections with F. hepatica and C. daubneyi in Ireland. Whether the reasons for this are due to susceptibility, exposure and/or management factors is yet to be determined. Furthermore, the rumen fluke model indicates distinct risk factors and predicted distribution to those of F. hepatica, suggesting potential biological differences between both parasite species.

Farmers Have Hearts: The Prevalence of Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease Among a Subgroup of Irish Livestock Farmers

ABSTRACT Objectives: Despite international findings that farmers have better health outcomes than other occupation groups, Irish farmers are found to be a high-risk group for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early detection of CVD through preventive health measurements, such as screening of high-risk groups, can contribute to a reduction of CVD cases. Farmers, however, represent a “challenging” group in terms of engaging in preventive health behaviors. This study examined the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among male Irish livestock farmers who participated in heart screening as part of a workplace health intervention. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from a convenience sample (N = 310) of farmers. Consent included permission to analyze the heart screening results and to participate in two follow-up questionnaires by phone at Week 1 (n = 224) and Week 12 (n = 172). All data were entered onto the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 22) and both descriptive and inferential statistics were compiled. Results: Almost one in two (46%; n = 140) farmers had high blood pressure (≥140/≥90 mm Hg), and 46% (n = 140) had elevated total cholesterol. One third of farmers were found to be obese (35%; n = 110). The vast majority (83%; n = 255) had at least four risk factors for CVD based on the outcomes of the heart screening. Conclusion: The study findings in relation to obesity and the prevalence of multiple risk factors for CVD are a particular cause of concern and shed considerable light on the current excess burden of CVD among farmers in Ireland.

Mycotoxins in farm silages – a 2‐year Irish national survey

AbstractToxicogenic fungal moulds have been previously identified in Irish farm silages and are known to be capable of producing mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are detrimental to animal health and performance and can be transferred through feed to animal produce. The objectives of this study were to identify and quantify the challenge posed to livestock from mycotoxins in Irish silages and determine whether conventional chemical characteristics could be used as indicators of mycotoxin occurrence. Over the 2‐year period, 300 silages were sampled on 150 farms and these consisted of round‐baled grass silages (n = 115) and pit silages of either grass (n = 175) or maize (n = 10). There was no significant difference in mycotoxin concentrations across silage types in either year, except for baled silage containing higher concentrations of enniatin B compared with pit silage in Year 1. Conventional chemical characteristics of silages were generally not reliable predictors for mycotoxin incidences; however, dry‐matter digestibility, crude protein, fermentation products and ash did predict the incidence of enniatins and beauvericin. The incidence and concentration of the twenty measured mycotoxins were generally low and individual mycotoxin concentrations recorded were considerably lower than current EU directive or guidance thresholds. Non‐regulated mycotoxins measured were similar to or lower than concentrations reported in the literature. Based on current knowledge and the concentrations of individual mycotoxins detected in this study, the challenge to Irish livestock and livestock products from animal consuming silage is generally low. However, the additive or synergistic effects of multiple mycotoxins in silage are unknown.

Sustainability in Irish Agriculture

Recent decades have seen increasing intensification in Irish agriculture, resulting in some degradation of natural resources. Concerns resulting from this have led to a current emphasis on sustainable agriculture which is a food production and distribution system that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to do likewise. In a soil fertility context, sustainable agriculture entails the maintenance of the balance between nutrients being removed by crops or animal produce and nutrient inputs from fertilisers and nutrient recycling. Phosphorus and nitrogen are key elements in agricultural productivity, but if used to excess can lead to pollution of rivers and lakes, and require greater monitoring, as well as close attention to rates and times of application. An integral part of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy is the increased emphasis on environmental conservation through measures aimed at integrating environmental and agricultural policy. ‘Towards Sustainability’. the European Union (EU) Fifth Action programme on the environment includes sustainable agriculture as one of its aims. In an Irish context, sustainable agriculture implies that the fabric of rural communities should be sustained, and this is not happening. It is unlikely that Irish livestock numbers can be increased in the foreseeable future to utilise the national area of grassland to its capacity and it is therefore crucial that alternatives to grassland farming be found. The role of forestry is discussed in this context.

The Contemporary Geography of Indigenous Irish Livestock

Livestock farming is an important part of agriculture in both Northern Ireland and the Republic. However, whilst many geographers have studied changes in the numbers of Irish livestock, there has been little consideration given to the contemporary distribution of different breeds of domestic farm animals in Ireland. Recent theoretical debate has encouraged geographers to consider the ways in which animals can reflect cultural differences between and within places. Drawing on these ideas, this paper examines agricultural livestock which are indigenous to Ireland and considers how they reflect changes in the rural economy. It uses secondary data gathered from appropriate herd books to examine temporal and spatial changes in Irish livestock and. in particular, breeds which have been classified as rare. Data from a recent survey of livestock owners are used to explain these differences.

Identity of rumen fluke in deer.

As evidence is growing that in many temperate areas paramphistome infections are becoming more common and widespread, this study was undertaken to determine the role of deer as reservoirs for rumen fluke infections in livestock. A total of 144 deer faecal samples (88 from fallow deer, 32 from red deer and 24 samples from sika, sika/red deer hybrids) were screened for the presence of fluke eggs. Based on the ITS-2 rDNA locus plus flanking 5.8S and 28S sequences (ITS-2+), fluke eggs were identified to species level. Our results indicate that, of the 3 deer species, fallow deer had the highest fluke infection rates. Two rumen fluke species, Calicophoron daubneyi and Paramphistomum leydeni, with morphologically distinct eggs, were identified. Concurrent infections of the two paramphistome species and liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, were common. Considering the comparatively low egg burdens observed in this study, it is unlikely that deer represent a significant source of infection for Irish livestock.

Considerations on BVD eradication for the Irish livestock industry

Animal Health Ireland has produced clear guidelines for the control of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) infection in Irish cattle herds. In the course of developing these guidelines it was clear that a framework for regional and/or national BVD control would be required to increase the uptake of BVD control at farm level and reduce the overall prevalence of the disease. This paper assessed the economic impact of BVD, epidemiological aspects of the disease to its control, models of BVD control, international experiences of BVD control programmes. The technical knowledge and test technology exists to eradicate BVD. Indeed, many countries have successfully and others are embarking on control of the disease. The identification and prompt elimination of PI cattle will form the basis of any control programme. The trade of such animals must be curtailed. Pregnant and potentially pregnant carrying PI foetuses pose a significant threat. International experience indicates systematic, well coordinated programmes have the most success, while voluntary programmes can make good initial progress but ultimately fail. The farming community must buy into any proposed programme, and without their support, failure is likely. To buy into the programme and create such a demand for BVD control, farmers must first be well informed. It is likely that stemming economic loss and improving productivity will be the primary motivator at individual farm level.

Setting priorities for non-regulatory animal health in Ireland: Results from an expert Policy Delphi study and a farmer priority identification survey

Agriculture is a very important contributor to the Irish economy. In Ireland, national animal health services have been a government, rather than an industry, responsibility. In 2009, Animal Health Ireland (AHI) was established to provide a partnership approach to national leadership of non-regulatory animal health issues (those not subject to national and/or EU regulation). The objectives of this study were to elicit opinion from experts and farmers about non-regulatory animal health issues facing Irish livestock industries, including prioritisation of animal health issues and identification of opportunities to maximise the effective use of AHI resources. The study was conducted with experts using Policy Delphi methodology over three rounds, and with farmers using a priority identification survey. Non-regulatory bovine diseases/conditions were prioritised by both experts and farmers based on impact and international competitiveness. For each high-priority disease/condition, experts were asked to provide an assessment based on cost, impact, international perception, impediment to international market access and current resource usage effectiveness. Further information was also sought from experts about resource allocation preferences, methods to improve education and coordination, and innovative measures to improve prevention and management. There was close agreement between responses from experts and dairy farmers: each gave highest priority to 3 diseases with a biosecurity risk (subsequently termed ‘biosecure diseases’) (bovine viral diarrhoea [BVD], infectious bovine rhinotracheitis [IBR], paratuberculosis) and 4 diseases/conditions generally without a biosecurity risk (‘non-biosecure diseases/conditions’) (fertility, udder health/milk quality, lameness, calf health). Beef farmers also prioritised parasitic conditions and weanling pneumonia. The adverse impact of biosecure diseases is currently considered relatively minor by experts, but would increase substantially in time. There are already substantial costs to farms and agribusiness from non-biosecure diseases/conditions. Experts preferred an equal allocation of resources between these biosecure and non-biosecure diseases/conditions, with emphasis on adopting/adapting international models, education and awareness-raising. The results from this study provide robust insights about non-regulatory animal health priorities in Ireland, as perceived by experts and farmers, using methodologies that are both transparent and inclusive. They have already been extremely influential in shaping national policy, as a foundation for interdisciplinary (and multi-agency) cooperation, as a contribution to efforts to encourage stakeholder responsibility-taking, and to ongoing development of postgraduate and undergraduate veterinary education in Ireland.

The effect of level of dietary fish oil inclusion on intake and methane emissions of beef steers

Irish livestock account for 0.55 million tonnes of methane (CH4) annually from enteric fermentation and manure management (EPA, 2006). However, recent studies have shown the potential to reduce ruminal methanogenesis through strategic dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; Jordan et al. 2006). This is likely to be mediated, in part, through the unsaturated double bonds of PUFA acting as sinks for free hydrogen during ruminal biohydrogenation. Fish oil is acknowledged as the richest natural source of long chain n-3 PUFA such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids (Ruxton et al., 2004). Despite this, there is little published information on the effect of dietary fish oil supplementation on in vivo ruminal methanogenesis in cattle. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a novel concentrated n-3 PUFA fish oil, on the intake and CH4 emissions of beef steers.

Conserving animal genetic resources: making priority lists of British and Irish livestock breeds

AbstractPrioritisation of livestock breeds for conservation is agreed to depend upon the genetic distinctiveness of breeds, on census data and degree of endangerment, and on other factors relating to the present, future, or past function of the breeds in the livestock industry. How these factors can be combined to yield a prioritised list needs to be considered. An objective framework for prioritisation can be deduced if breeds are compared with each other by plotting genetic distinctiveness against distinctiveness of function. In this paper, the native British and Irish cattle breeds (n = 31 commercial, minority and rare breeds) have been prioritised in this way. Those with highest conservation priority are Chillingham, Gloucester, Guernsey, Jersey, Shetland and Irish Moiled. The 25 native British sheep breeds that are not on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) Watchlist were also considered. The structure of the British sheep industry means that functional distinctiveness of breeds is not easily deduced. The only fully comparable characterisation data relate to wool fibre fineness class, so genetic distinctiveness was plotted against distinctiveness of this attribute. The non-rare breeds with highest conservation priority by this measure were Herdwick, Hampshire Down and Clun Forest.

In vitro methane production of different cultivars of perennial ryegrass

Irish livestock production systems are characterised by the high utilization of grazed grass combined with minimal supplementary feeding. As such the options to reduce methane (CH4) production, particularly for beef animals, is limited to the finishing period when diet can be controlled and varied. No data is available regarding the methanogenic potential of differing grass cultivars. This study assessed CH4 output, as measured in vitro, of six ryegrass cultivars, with the aim of quantifying the potential for enteric CH4 emissions to be reduced from ruminants grazing ryegrass dominant swards.

In vitro methane production as influenced by harvest date and level of nitrogen application

Increasing animal productivity increases daily enteric methane (CH4) emissions but reduces CH4 output per unit of animal production. Irish livestock production systems are characterised by a high dependence on grazed pasture. Increased nitrogen (N) fertiliser application can increase animal productivity through increased intake. The objective of this trial was to assess the effect of N level application and pasture maturity on in vitro methane production.

The restructured CAP and the periphery of the EU

Agriculture is a vital element not only of the rural economy but also of the wider national economy for the peripheral countries of the European Union (EU), namely Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. It accounts for a significant part of their economies with the highest share in national income and employment among the member states of the EU. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and examine in a broad sense the consequences of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform for the peripheral countries of the Union. The major conclusion is that the redistributive effects of the reform for cereals, though in favour of the Mediterannean states, are minor. In the milk and beef sectors, given that market prices (until the BSE scare) did not fall in line with institutional prices in conjuction with the compensation payments, the reform had a beneficiary impact on Irish livestock producers in the early years. For the southern European countries, post-reform changes are limited, although a positive effect is observed on milk output and farmers' income in Greece and Spain. Moreover, although there is no significant change in the sheep-goat sector, there is a net loss for tobacco producers. Finally, the most positive aspect of the reform for these countries appears to be the early retirement scheme for older farmers.

The Contemporary Geography of Indigenous Irish Livestock

Livestock farming is an important part of agriculture in both Northern Ireland and the Republic. However, whilst many geographers have studied changes in the numbers of Irish livestock, there has been little consideration given to the contemporary distribution of different breeds of domestic farm animals in Ireland. Recent theoretical debate has encouraged geographers to consider the ways in which animals can reflect cultural differences between and within places. Drawing on these ideas, this paper examines agricultural livestock which are indigenous to Ireland and considers how they reflect changes in the rural economy. It uses secondary data gathered from appropriate herd books to examine temporal and spatial changes in Irish livestock and. in particular, breeds which have been classified as rare. Data from a recent survey of livestock owners are used to explain these differences.