TResearch autumn issue 2024 - focus on animal and grassland research and the rural economy
Estimating the economic value – or shadow wage – of farm family labour on Irish dairy farms. Photo credit: monkeybusinessimages/istockphoto.com

TResearch autumn issue 2024 - focus on animal and grassland research and the rural economy

The autumn 2024 issue of TResearch is now available to read and we have so many great articles to feature that this newsletter is issued in three parts. In this third part, we focus on research from our Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Programme and our Rural Economy and Development Programme. Click on the links below to find out more.

Under the shadow: Shadow wage and farm family labour

Research by Teagasc and 爱尔兰国立高威大学 estimated the economic value – or shadow wage – of farm family labour on Irish dairy farms, highlighting the critical role of agricultural education in increasing its value. Find out more in this article by Luis Garcia-Covarrubias, PhD , Emma Jane Dillon , and Fiona Thorne in the latest issue of TResearch.


Figure 1 illustrates that the returns to family labour increase as the level of agricultural education increases. Our research therefore highlights the role of the level of agricultural education in enhancing farm viability as those farm operators who have undertaken formal agricultural training report higher levels of farm income.

Steady diet of data

The Feed-Omics project seeks new insights into the molecular regulation of feed efficiency in beef cattle, using state-of-the-art analyses based on systems biology. Kate Keogh , Toni Reverter ( CSIRO ) Mark McGee and David Kenny explain more about it in this article.


Cows grazing in a field of grass and clover
Photo credit: Andrew Downes.

This little piggy went to market

Research by Teagasc and Queen's University Belfast suggests that consumers displaying characteristics including a high level of moral responsibility are more likely to buy high-welfare assured pork. Read about the study in this article by Molly Harrison , Sinead McCarthy,

Keelin O'Driscoll , and Niamh Elizabeth O'Connell .


A couple inspect a package of meat in the supermarket
Positive characteristics of higher welfare Irish pork could be included on product packaging to appeal to consumers’ perception of quality. Photo credit: gilaxia/

Celebrating AGRIP

We look back at two decades of contributions from Teagasc's animal and grassland research, driving positive developments across the agri-food industry. See the ‘Back in Time’ feature by Kevin Heanue .


A bee on a red clover flower
A bee on a red clover flower. Photo credit:?TAMER YILMAZ/

Mixed farming systems

Integrated crop and livestock farming systems have the potential to provide a sustainable alternative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintain family farm income. Tasos Chatzichristou , Jonathan Herron , and Michael Wallace ( University College Dublin ) explain in this article.


Sheep walk through a field
Photo credit: Andrew Downes

Events: my take-home message

Protecting our native tree species is important for preserving biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem services, and ensuring the resilience of our forests in the face of climate change. Find out more in this piece by Dheeraj Singh Rathore , from a recent Teagasc Forestry Open Day.


A man stands in front of a board talking to a group of visitors to a forestry event
Dheeraj Rathore presenting at the Forestry Open Day. Photo credit: Tony Keane

Fermented foods have the potential to meet consumer expectations for healthier and more sustainable foods, but there is a need to demonstrate their health impacts scientifically. Sinead McCarthy and John Kenny tell us more in this short article.


A woman stands in front of a large presentation screen - she is delivering a talk to an audience
Sinéad McCarthy addresses the Living Lab audience. Photo credit:?Teagasc

Photo finish: The Irish Frog

The Irish frog: Field biodiversity is often unsuspected, especially when the diversity of habitats can support a large diversity of species. Amphibians are indicators of the ecosystem’s health. They are very sensitive to pesticide and other environmental perturbation. Over the last few years, they have massively declined. However, they are very important for ecosystems. They mainly feed on insects and serve as food for many species of higher trophic levels. Photo and description by Virgile Ballandras .


A frog in a natural environement

We hope you enjoyed reading about our latest research. Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter to be the first to know when a new issue of TResearch is released.

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