Brian McCarthy

Senior Research Officer

Research Interests

Next Generation Herd II – environmental sustainability and integrated dairy beef
The main aspects of this project are:

Systems experiment to investigate the effect of dairy cow genotype (National Average – current national average HF based on EBI, Elite – current top 5% HF based on EBI and high EBI (top 5%) Jersey x HF), that will be compared across three contrasting pasture-based systems based on different milking platform organic N stocking rates (170, 220 and 270 kg/ha).
The objective of the study is to future proof breeding strategy and direction of change in pasture-based systems in Ireland in the context of environmentally sustainable milk production.

Evaluating techniques to estimate dry matter intake of dairy cows grazing diverse swards
The main aspects of this project are:

Update and validate the n-alkane technique for dry matter intake estimation with diverse swards
Investigate if alternative methodologies such as the use of long chain alcohols (which can be used in junction with alkanes) and/or long-chain fatty acids or the ytterbium/faecal index technique may provide better estimates of DMI, digestibility and diet composition with diverse swards.

MEASURES FOR WATER – Monitoring and evaluating targeted mitigation approaches to improve Water Quality
The main aspects of this project are:

The identification, evaluation and dissemination of effective mitigation approaches (i.e., measures, management practices, tools and technologies) to protect and improve water quality

PhD in Agricultural Science University College Dublin
Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Animal and Crop Production) University College Dublin