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April 8 & 9, 2014: Improving sustainability in crop and livestock production systems in Newcastle, UK

First announcement for free Workshops at Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

(30.12.2013) 

The NUE-CROPS (www.nuecrops.eu )* and LowInputBreeds (www.lowinputbreeds.org )** EU funded research projects are hosting two workshops for researchers and advisers on recent advances in sustainability in agricultural systems.  

NUE-CROPS focusses on genetic and agronomic approaches for improving nutrient use efficiency in crops while the LowInputBreeds project focusses on integrated breeding and management strategies to improve health, product quality and performance in European organic and ‘low input’ milk, meat and egg production.  These workshops provide an opportunity for advisers and early-stage researchers to learn from some of the practical outcomes from these projects.

The first day will focus on "Tools and techniques for assessing nutrient sustainability at the field and farm scale” while the second workshop will highlight “Improving sustainability: lessons from low-input and organic livestock production".  

The workshops will feature hands-on sessions with some of the software tools available for sustainability assessment as well as presentations from leading researchers in the field.

Programme highlights

Workshop 1: Tools and techniques for assessing nutrient sustainability at field and farm scale

  • NPK budgeting at the farm scale – comparison of software tools available
  • Calculating farm scale carbon budgets and use of on-line tools
  • Advances in simulation models for field scale N dynamics

Workshop 2: Improving sustainability: lessons from low-input and organic livestock production

  • Linking grazing and profitability in dairying
  • The role of clover in soil fertility and animal nutrition
  •  Extending the life of anthelmintics
  • Mastitis control without antibiotics?

There is no registration fee for the workshops and we can subsidise travel for researchers and advisers.  Please register your interest with teresa.jordon@no-spam.newcastle.ac.uk for either or both workshops and information on travel bursaries.

*NUE-CROPS: Improving nutrient efficiency in major European food, feed and biofuel crops to reduce the negative environmental impact of crop production; EU-FP7 222-645

** LowInputBreeds: Development of integrated livestock breeding and management strategies to improve animal health, product quality and performance in European organic and ‘low input’ milk, meat and egg production 

More information

Workshop website