Teagasc PhD Walsh fellowship opportunity

“Pre- and post-weaning feeding strategies to improve the health and behaviour of dairy calves in Ireland”

Walsh Fellowship Number 2024008

Background

Carefully transitioning pre-weaned dairy calves from a milk-based diet to a pasture-based diet is critical for their future growth, health and welfare. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently recommended calves be fed milk at a rate of 20% of bodyweight for the first weeks of life (7-8 L/calf/day). However, higher milk-feeding rates should not be undertaken to the detriment of rumen development, health and welfare of calves. Pre-weaning, weaning and post-weaning feeding management protocols for Irish dairy calves need to be re-evaluated to cater for changes in pre-weaning management practices and to ensure a trajectory which maximises calf growth, health and welfare. The objectives of this project are to investigate the effect of pre- and post-weaning diet and their interaction on calf growth, health, behaviour and rumen development. More specifically, questions to be answered include:

• What is the best combination of milk allowance, concentrate composition and fresh grass provision pre- and post-weaning for calf growth, health and welfare?
• Can ultrasound be used as a non-invasive method to assess rumen development in calves?
• How do pre-weaning diets affect rumen microbiota in calves?

The successful applicant will be involved in the daily management of the calves; collecting data related to their feeding, growth and behaviour, collating and analysing these data and designing protocol modifications to enable real solutions to be delivered to Irish dairy farmers.

Requirements

Applicants should have or expect to have an MSc in an appropriate discipline (Agriculture /Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine or another related discipline). The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated and enthusiastic.

The PhD Scholarship is a joint research project between Teagasc Moorepark, Co. Cork, Ireland and the Animal Production Systems group, Wageningen University, the Netherlands. The student will be primarily based at Teagasc Moorepark and registered at Wageningen University, for a 4-year PhD degree programme. This graduate programme enables the PhD student to develop into an independent researcher at the highest international level.

The student will work under the supervision of Dr Emer Kennedy (Teagasc) and Dr Eddie Bokkers and Dr Laura Webb (Wageningen University). Initially the PhD scholar is appointed for a period of 18 months. Continuation for another 30 months will be based on performance evaluation. A minimum level of competency in English is required. Please click here with regard to English language requirements.

Award

The scholarship funding is €25,000 per annum plus a contribution to fees up to a maximum of €6,000 per annum (total scholarship funding is €31,000) and is tenable for 4 years. The scholarship will commence in autumn 2024.

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit a CV, including the contact details of at least two referees, and covering letter detailing their motivation, qualifications, experience and to Dr Emer Kennedy

Closing date

30th August 2024