ZeroNsile Red Clover farmers make plans for the 2025 season

ZeroNsile红三叶草种植农户制定2025年生产季计划

The ZeroNsile on-farm research project, being delivered by AFBI and AgriSearch aims to examine the feasibility and practicalities of producing silage without the use of manufactured N fertiliser. The research project focus primarily on red clover-based silage swards.

ZeroNsile农场研究项目由AFBI和AgriSearch共同实施，旨在研究不使用人工氮肥生产青贮饲料的可行性和实际操作方式。该研究项目主要聚焦以红三叶草为基础的青贮草地。

One of the twelve farmers involved, Douglas McKenzie (Moy) recently hosted the project group to review sward performance and discuss management for the season ahead.

近日，参与该项目的12名农户之一、来自莫伊（Moy）的道格拉斯·麦肯齐（Douglas McKenzie）接待了项目小组一行，共同回顾草地表现，并讨论即将到来的生产季管理安排。

When the group met in February they reviewed the yield and quality results from the swards during the 2024 season. The group have also committed to meeting up on a regular basis on each other’s farms during the 2025 growing season to share their experiences.

项目小组于2月会面时，回顾了2024年生产季相关草地的产量和品质结果。小组成员还承诺，在2025年生长季期间定期到彼此农场开展交流，分享实践经验。

Silage yields and quality will be assessed over the 2025 season and compared to conventionally managed grass swards on the project farms. Jason Rankin, Manager at AgriSearch added, “Research into lowering the use of artificial nitrogen is a priority of AgriSearch - not only does this offer the potential for farmers to save money on the purchase of fertiliser but it also helps to lower carbon emissions since and fertiliser use accounted for around 20% of GHG emissions across our Beacon Farm Network in Northern Ireland”.

2025年生产季期间，项目将对青贮产量和品质进行评估，并与项目农场中采用常规管理方式的牧草草地进行比较。AgriSearch经理杰森·兰金（Jason Rankin）补充道：“减少人工氮肥使用是AgriSearch的重点研究方向。这不仅有助于农户节省购买肥料的成本，也有助于降低碳排放，因为在我们位于北爱尔兰的Beacon Farm Network中，肥料使用约占温室气体排放量的20%。”

The farmers in the project are building their knowledge and experience of growing and utilising red clover on their farms - this project will help give farmers across Northern Ireland a better understanding of the potential and suitability of red clover for silage. Public farm walks are planned for the summer and details will be released soon on the AgriSearch website.

参与该项目的农户正在不断积累红三叶草种植和利用方面的知识与经验。该项目将帮助北爱尔兰各地农户更好地了解红三叶草用于青贮生产的潜力和适宜性。面向公众的农场参观活动计划于今年夏季举行，相关详情将很快在AgriSearch网站上发布。

The ZeroNsile is an on-farm research project funded by AgriSearch with AFBI providing scientific and technical support.

ZeroNsile是一个由AgriSearch资助的农场研究项目，AFBI为其提供科学和技术支持。

Notes to editors:

供编辑参考：

AFBI is an arms-length body of DAERA delivering research and development, diagnostic and analytical testing, emergency response capability and expert scientific advice for DAERA and other government departments, public bodies and commercial companies in Northern Ireland, and further afield.

AFBI是DAERA的非部门公共机构，负责为DAERA提供研究与开发、诊断和分析检测、应急响应能力以及专业科学建议。

AFBI’s Vision is “Scientific excellence delivering impactful and sustainable outcomes for society, economy and the natural environment”.

AFBI的愿景是“科学卓越，为社会、经济和自然环境提供有影响力和可持续的成果”。

AFBI’s Purpose is to deliver trusted, independent research, statutory & surveillance science, and expert advice that addresses local and global challenges, informs government policy and industry decision making, and underpins a sustainable agri-food industry and the natural and marine environments.

AFBI的宗旨是开展值得信赖的独立研究、法定与监测科学工作，并提供专业建议，以应对本地和全球挑战，为政府政策和行业决策提供依据，支撑农业食品产业以及自然和海洋环境的可持续发展。

AFBI’s strategic priorities:

AFBI的战略重点包括：

Leading improvements in the agri-food industry to enhance its sustainability;

引领农业食品产业改进，提升其可持续性；

Protecting animal, plant and human health;

保护动物、植物和人类健康；

Enhancing the natural and marine environment;

改善自然和海洋环境；

Delivering quality outcomes and impact;

交付高质量成果并产生实际影响；

Enabling world class science through excellence in people, places & technology.

依托人才、平台和技术优势，推动世界一流科学发展。