Established in 2019 at UCD Lyons Research Farm, the Long Term Grassland Platform (LTGP) is a pioneering research facility focused on evaluating the environmental sustainability of pasture-based agriculture, with a goal of identifying pathways to net carbon zero. The platform provides a unique, holistic suite of system-level and environmental measurements, encompassing:
• Soil fertility and nutrient cycling
• Biodiversity and water quality
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon sequestration
• Precision agriculture and farm management
• Animal productivity, health, and genetics
• Economic and environmental modelling
• Food and nutritional product quality
Design and Structure
The LTGP is structured over a 24-hectare single land block, divided into 12 hydrologically isolated 2-ha paddocks. These are grouped into three 8-ha farmlets, each dedicated to a distinct sward type within a closed, integrated dairy calf-to-beef system:
1. PRG: Perennial ryegrass monoculture (205 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹)
2. PRGWC: Perennial ryegrass + white clover (92 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹)
3. MSS: Multi-species sward (including ryegrass, timothy, red and white clover, chicory, and plantain) (92 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹)
Each farmlet contains eight 1-ha paddocks, randomized within four blocks, enabling robust replicated analysis.
Research Focus
The LTGP explores innovative strategies to enhance environmental and economic sustainability, including:
• Divergence in animal genetics for age of slaughter
• Strategic early-life nutritional supplementation
• Use of alternative forages and novel feed additives
• GHG mitigation technologies
• Nutrient recycling and reduced chemical fertilizer usage
• Integration of mixed farming vs. specialized systems
Impact and Integration
Data generated supports life cycle assessment (LCA) and farm-scale modeling to evaluate bioeconomic outcomes, GHG and ammonia emissions. The LTGP is fully integrated with the UCD Dairy Farm and the UCD Dairy Calf Research & Educational Facility, enabling comprehensive farm system circularity and delivering impactful research that informs future agricultural policy and sustainability strategies.
