What was the challenge/problem addressed?

With trends in biodiversity heading the wrong way and agriculture being one of the causing factors, a group of dairy farmers wanted to explore the options available to them to reverse this decline, with particular attention to insects. This had to fit in to the current farming practices without making systemic changes. The level of biodiversity in dungpads on the fields of dairy farms in Ireland was relatively unknow. Therefore, we decided to do a baseline survey on a number of farms in the group spread across the county.

Dosing animals for stomach worms has been shown to damage insect populations and we surmised this to be especially true for populations interacting with dung pads. Therefore we also wanted to reduce the level of dosing on farm to promote insect populations while maintaining or improving animal health outcomes. 

These challenges could not be solved by the group alone, additional expertise was needed to ensure a positive outcome.

How did you solve the problem?

Briefly the group:

Weighted calves at turn out to grass and weighted every calf every 6 weeks to ensure that they were reaching their target weight helping inform dosing strategy.

Took faecal samples every month for each group of calves and sent them to

What is innovative in your practical case?

Having done all this we came up with a dosing planner for our calves so that all members of the group could be confident that animal health wasn’t compromised while also promoting biodiversity. 

We also launched a website making this dosing planner availa

What are the success factors in solving the problem?

Built a framework for how to educate farmers on the importance of biodiversity and its relationship with animal health

Successfully developed a practical Dosing planner for young stock to improve health and biodiversity outcomes

Created the first baseline

Lessons learned

If starting a project like this again I would allow a longer lead in period to get expertise/administration etc. organised.

What role does the advisor or advisory service play with the practical case?

Implemented the project. Facilitated the training days, managed the administration and oversight of the project.

Can your approach be transferred and/or adapted for other innovation challenges and regions?

Yes

Estimated transferability on a scale from 1 to 5

(where 1 is easy and 5 very difficult)

2

For sharing the experience on the good practice, please contact 

Lorcan Dooley

lorcan.dooley@teagasc.ie

Link to external information

https://www.omooreinnovation.ie/