Show Notes
In this episode, we talk about biodiversity, which ia especially topical given the recent UN Climate Change Conference, 2021 held in Glasgow.
A recent Bord Bia survey found that consumers really did want to make a difference in making lifestyle and buying changes and yet biodiversity is not yet on consumers’ radar in terms of making purchasing decisions.
We caught up with two researchers from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science to tell us about the research they have done leading to really impactful changes in Irish farming and Irish landscapes.
Helen Sheridan discusses her research into finding animal feed substitutes for perennial rye grass, which can lead to less intensive farming practices, which is good news for biodiversity in Ireland.
Barry John McMahon, meanwhile, describes how investigating the interaction between agricultural systems and bird populations and help to address the serious problem of loss of bird species, and other species, here in Ireland and around the world.
More from AgriFood Matters
In today's episode, we will hear from two researchers, working at the cutting edge of the science of animal reproduction, who were both inspired by the late UCD Professor of Animal Husbandry, Ian Gordon, who died in 2021.
In Ireland, we generate more than one million tonnes of food waste every year, while globally It is estimated that food waste generates about 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
This episode features researchers working in precision agriculture, or digital agriculture - where new technology can be used to improve soil quality and crop productivity by working out the right intervention needed in the right place at the right time to give targeted interventions.
Vitamin D has been found to have an important role in the immune function of both animals and humans. It is a concern that levels of Vitamin D have been found to be low in both animals and humans in Ireland.
This episode looks at the essential role of insects in agriculture, specifically as pollinators.