Novel Machine Learning Modelling utilizing Experimental and Farm Data for Higher Efficiency and Lower Green House Gas Emission Dairy Production

This project aims to utilize data science approaches and develop novel multi-traits machine learning based models to uncover new insights into feed efficiency complex and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Northern Ireland dairy cattle production. This target will address the DAERA research needs to improve profitability and sustainability (DAERA Research Need 1.1), provide guidelines to increase feeding efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through genetic and management improvements and ultimately developing predictive models (DAERA Research Need 1.2) for feeding efficiency and GHG emissions in commercial farms across Northern Ireland. To achieve these goals, the project will use feeding efficiency and methane emission measurements recorded in animal level during the last 30 years in AFBI along with genetic, management and production data to develop the predictive models and predict methane in AFBI and CAFRE herds and some commercial herds across Northern Ireland through NIFAB project and collaboration with AHDB and Dale Farm.