Katelyn Walsh
Project Title: Next Generation Herd II – Evaluating the effect of dairy cow genotype and organic nitrogen stocking rate on the productivity of spring milk production systems
Biography: Katelyn is a PhD student at Teagasc Moorepark, where she is conducting research focused on the re-evaluation of Economic Breeding Index (EBI) and pasture-based systems utilised in Ireland, in terms of their organic nitrogen stocking rate. This is prudent to validate the direction of genetic gain and production system change to ensure compatibility of resultant genetics and production systems with current challenges. One of the main challenges for Irish dairy farms, is the potential loss of the Nitrates Derogation, which currently allows farmers to maintain an organic N stocking rate greater than the 170 kg/ha limit of up to 220 kg/ha of organic N. Research on the impact of these potential changes on the productivity, profitability and environmental impact of pasture-based production systems in Ireland combined with the genetics of the future is required.
The overall objective of her research is to validate breeding strategy and investigate economic and environmental efficiency of the genotypes and production systems, ultimately contributing to a futuristic blueprint for sustainable milk production systems.
Katelyn comes from a dairy farming background in County Kilkenny. She graduated with a first-class honours BSc in Agricultural Science from University College Cork in 2025, where she undertook farm placements on dairy farms in Co. Tipperary and New Zealand and took part in a research study in Teagasc Moorepark where she discovered her interest in research. She is now excited to embark on this new adventure!
Teagasc email: katelyn.walsh@teagasc.ie
University email: 121413614@umail.ucc.ie
Teagasc Research Programme: Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Programme
Research Location: Moorepark – Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre
Name of University: University College Cork
University Supervisor: Professor Frank Buckley
Funder: Teagasc