Daniel McPartlin

Project Title: The role and effectiveness of local led KT initiatives – examining the “Grass on the By-Pass” project

Overview

Teagasc drystock staff in Tullamore in conjunction with a local farmer developed a new local KT initiative called “Grass on the By-Pass” to demonstrate best practice grassland management in an innovative way.  The field’s unique location and aspect lends itself to a natural visual demonstration of best practice in grazing management to a potential captive audience of c.10,000 “visitors” who pass the field on the N52 Tullamore by-pass each day.

Anecdotal evidence has shown that this initiative has increased interest among farmers with many queries regarding how they too can replicate this technology on their own farm.  This project will assess the role of this local led KT approach and evaluate the development and impact of local led initiatives in the wider KT programme.

Supervisors:

Mark Coyne (Teagasc)

Tomas Russell (UCD)

Location:  Tullamore