A new industry-supported research collaboration has been launched to develop animal feed analysis techniques tailored specifically to Irish pastures and silages. The three-way collaboration project between VistaMilk Research Ireland Centre, Teagasc Grassland Science Department, Goldcrop and FBA Laboratories aims to deliver rapid, accurate feed nutritive value analysis to support data-driven decision-making across Ireland’s pasture-based livestock sector. A key output will be the integration of advanced forage analysis results with PastureBase Ireland, creating a dedicated database and dissemination tool to support the sharing and practical use of feed nutritive value data at both farm and industry levels. Speaking on the collaboration, Grass and Forage development manager of Goldcrop and Pasture Innovations, Pat Cashman, said: “Accurate, timely feed analysis is a cornerstone of good grassland management. Director of FBA Laboratories, Conor Butler, said: “Robust forage nutritive value data is central to farm management, sustainability and long-term competitiveness, particularly in pasture-based systems where home-grown forage quality directly influences animal performance, nutrient use efficiency and farm profitability.

Source: Irish Examiner February 18, 2026 17:55 UTC