Impact of regenerative pasture management and grazing strategies on livestock productivity, parasite control and pasture
Supervisors:
Dr Kathryn Ellis, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine (University of Glasgow)
Dr Fiona Kenyon, Moredun Research Institute
Adam Hayward, Moredun, Research Institute
Dr Philip Skuce, Moredun Research Institute
Robin Pakeman, The James Hutton Institute
Summary:
Pasture management practices such as rotational/mob grazing and biodiverse swards (also known as regenerative grazing) have been associated with increased herbage production, improved livestock productivity and reduced disease and roundworm incidence. However, evidence for several of these outcomes is largely anecdotal, based on observation and experience rather than empirical data. Few field studies have been conducted to compare diverse sward composition with traditional grass or grass/clover swards and high frequency rotational grazing with set-stocking. This project aims to understand the impact of pasture improvement and grazing strategies on livestock productivity and health in Scotland. Conducting field trials at the internationally renowned MRI and JHI institute farms, the student will test the hypothesis that rotational/mob grazing and botanically diverse swards will improve animal productivity and nutrition and resilience, and will reduce disease incidence and parasitism, when compared with current, traditional/common approaches.
In the third year, studies will be conducted on commercial farms to understand the impact of these approaches in practice. The student will learn a range of skills in the field, lab and in data analysis and will participate in active project and departmental meetings, as well as national and international conferences, where appropriate. All research organisations have close relationships with the farming community, all supervisors actively engage in KE at local and national events and the student would be encouraged to participate.