Investigate the nutritional potential, for ruminants, of different by-products as an alternative feed supplement for incorporation into animal feed

OVERVIEW

Nowadays, the farm livestock productions systems face multiple challenges as the consumer desires high quality animal products which are produced with less environmental impact and at the same time without affecting animal welfare. For these reasons, the agriculture sector has to adopt more efficient and sustainable production methods. One approach is the introduction of feed with bioactive compounds in animal nutrition. These bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols (tannins), terpenoids (saponins), enzymes (polyphenol oxidase) and essential oils, can be found in different plants and by-product food. They have the potential to optimise animal nutrition (protein use efficiency), reduce environmental impact (N-losses, methane emissions), improve animal health (mastitis, parasitism), and improve food quality (increase healthy fatty acids, flavour, colour of meat and milk).

The project will evaluate the nutritive value of different alternative feed sources and assess their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve nutrient use efficiency. It will also explore the feasibility of ensiling these feed sources for use as livestock feed. This approach will address key knowledge gaps relating to the use of these novel feeds in ruminant nutrition, while suggesting approaches to reduce animals’ environmental impact.

Objectives:

1. Assess the effects of bioactive compounds on in vitro ruminal fermentation, NH3 and CH4 concentration.

2. Optimisation of the ensiling process.

This is an important step because there is a lack of research and limited scientific information in this area. This optimisation will be done on selected feed based on their most potent ammonia/methane inhibitory properties selected from the previous study (objective 1).

3. Assess the effect of inclusion of alternative feed source in the diet of growing lambs and greenhouse gas emissions

Two selected ensiled feed from the previous study (objective 2) will be used for the feeding trial with lambs.

All applicants must meet the academic entry requirements: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/biological-sciences-phd.html#entry

Research Information

PhD Supervisors
Information on the research interests and activities of academics in Biological Sciences can be accessed via the School website and the Find a Supervisor facility.

Career Prospects

Introduction
Queen’s postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as the DegreePlus/Future Ready Award, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. Career prospects in the biological sciences are exceptionally good. To some extent it depends on the specific topic, of course, but laboratory-based and especially quantitative skills and the proven innovation of a PhD or MPhil are highly sought after. Degrees are very much in demand, both in commercial science and public sector research and development (e.g. drug discovery and development, crop and animal improvements and welfare, sustainable agriculture and resource use, human nutrition and health, animal health, ecological management, food safety and technology, scientific communications, regulation, and many more fields).

Employment after the Course
Graduates have gone on to be professional research scientists, consultants, or hold technical and junior executive positions in commerce and government.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen’s University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor

If you’re interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.