How other countries sustainably handle manure from laying hens is the topic being currently studied by CAFRE poultry adviser Samuel Mooney, a new Nuffield Scholar from NI.

As part of his study, Samuel attended the 2026 Contemporary Scholars Conference in Japan, and has recently returned from a three-day visit to the Netherlands.

He told the Irish Farmers Journal that the layer industry in Japan was not that technologically advanced, although with little land available for spreading, they do compost manure. However, given it has a very intensive livestock sector, the Netherlands have been looking at solutions for poultry manure since the 1990s.

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“They are quite successfully drying, pelletising and exporting their poultry manure,” he said. Samuel is keen to look at a range of potential solutions for layer manure, although he believes drying and pelletising might ultimately be the best option for NI, with drying done on-farm before the product is transported to a central site. “Pelletising is more complicated and is the most expensive part of the process. It lends itself to be centralised,” he said.

An expanding layer industry in NI, when combined with a large surplus of phosphorus (P) in local agriculture, means markets outside of farming will have to be found.

“I hope the direction the study goes will mean I can investigate some potential export market outlets as well.”

Samuel wants to return to the Netherlands and surrounding countries and is potentially looking at travel to north America and Africa. His report is due to be submitted by early June 2027. But as well as investigating the topic, a Nuffield study is an opportunity to make contacts and develop skills.

“The contacts I have already made are unbelievable. It is a great opportunity – for any employer they would be mad not to support the programme.”

The application process for 2027 scholarships is currently open, with a deadline of midday on Thursday 30 July 2026.