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Business & Economics

Dr Doris Laepple

Ph.D, Dipl.-Ing. Agr. (Univ.)

Contact Details

Senior Lecturer
E: doris.laepple@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher
 

Biography

I am an Associate Professor in Economics.

Before joining the Economics Discipline at the University of Galway in 2017, I was an Assistant Professor at the School of Agriculture and Food Science at University College Dublin. I hold an MSc in Agricultural Economics (Dipl.-Ing. Agr. Univ.) from the Technical University Munich-Weihenstephan and a PhD in Economics from NUI Galway.  

I am an agricultural economist and I study how to support sustainable agricultural practices.

Within this context, my research focuses on  agricultural GHG mitigation, information provision, technology adoption, productivity and efficiency, as well as animal welfare, mainly in the dairy sector. I explore topics such as information provision to support sustainable practices, the relationship between productivity, policy and GHG emissions; the role of agricultural extension on dairy sector expansion, productivity and environmental implications; and the implications of dairy expansion on animal welfare. 

I teach subjects related to Agricultural Economics and Econometrics, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

I am an Associate Editor of the Journal of Agricultural Economics. 

Research Interests

I am an Agricultural Economist, and my research explores current and emerging issues faced by food system actors.

Currently, my main programme of research focuses on agricultural production and climate change. For example, I am coordinator of the SmartDairy research project that focuses on challenges, innovations, and co-creation of solutions to achieve a climate-smart food system, with a focus on dairy production. 

Another research project in relation to climate change seeks to understand, support and accelerate the adoption of climate change mitigation actions by farmers. 

Another of my programmes of research focuses on sustainable expansion of the Irish dairy sector. This includes the role and impact of extension services on expansion, productivity and environmental implications, economic analyses of animal welfare and biosecurity,  labour input and constraints on Irish dairy farms, as well as neighbourhood influences in (sustainable) technology adoption.  

My research interest in technology adoption began with exploring reasons for the low uptake rate of organic farming in Ireland and has expanded into research on understanding farmer behaviour and learning, as well as social and spatial influences.  For example, one of my research projects explored learning ability and receptiveness to expert and peer advice through laboratory experiments, with a specific focus on the role of communication. 

My research has been funded by national and international organisations, such as ERA-NET, the Irish Research Council, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc and the OECD. A selection of current and recent externally funded projects is provided below and my Google Scholar profile for information on my research outputs can be accessed here.

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
WALSH FELLOWSHIP - MEASURING LABOUR INPUT ON IRISH DAIRY FARMS USING THE TEAGASC NATIONAL FARM SURVEY 07-JAN-19 06-JAN-23
H2020 Proposal Prep Support - Learning and Information Provision in Agriculture 19-FEB-18 18-NOV-22
SURVEILLANCE WELFARE AND BIOSECURITY OF FARMED ANIMALS 01-NOV-18 31-JUL-21
MEASURING THE IMPACT OF EXTENSION SERVICES ON FARM-LEVEL SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION 09-JAN-17 08-JAN-21
AN EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMANT OF LEARNING AND PEER EFFECTS IN ADOPTION CHOICES 01-FEB-15 31-OCT-19

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2023) 'Extension and management pathways for enhanced farm sustainability: Evidence from Irish dairy farms'
Balaine, L., Läpple, D., Dillon, E.J. and Buckley, C. (2023) 'Extension and management pathways for enhanced farm sustainability: Evidence from Irish dairy farms'. European Review Of Agricultural Economics, [Details]
(2023) 'Information about Climate Change Mitigation: What Do Farmers Think?'
Läpple, D. (2023) 'Information about Climate Change Mitigation: What Do Farmers Think?'. Eurochoices, [Details]
(2022) 'Reconciling socio-economic and environmental sustainability in agri-food development: A critical appraisal of Irish strategie'
Balaine, L., Läpple, D., Dillon, E.J. and Buckley, C. (2022) 'Reconciling socio-economic and environmental sustainability in agri-food development: A critical appraisal of Irish strategie'. Eurochoices, [Details]
(2022) 'Concern for Animals, other Farmers or Oneself? Assessing Farmers' Support for a Policy to Improve Animal Welfare'
Läpple, D. ,and Osawe, O.W. (2022) 'Concern for Animals, other Farmers or Oneself? Assessing Farmers' Support for a Policy to Improve Animal Welfare'. American Journal Of Agricultural Economics, [Details]
(2022) 'Economic analysis of biosecurity adoption in dairy farming: Evidence from Ireland'
Osawe, O.W., Läpple, D. ,and Mee, J. (2022) 'Economic analysis of biosecurity adoption in dairy farming: Evidence from Ireland'. Journal Of Animal Science, [Details]
(2021) 'EU Milk Quota Abolition, Dairy Expansion and Greenhouse Gas Emissions'
Läpple, D. , Carter, C. and Buckley, C. (2021) 'EU Milk Quota Abolition, Dairy Expansion and Greenhouse Gas Emissions'. Agricultural Economics, [Details]
(2021) 'Exploring farmers' attitudes and determinants of dairy calf welfare in an expanding dairy sector'
Osawe, W., Läpple, D., Hanlon, A. and Boyle, L. (2021) 'Exploring farmers' attitudes and determinants of dairy calf welfare in an expanding dairy sector'. Journal Of Dairy Science, [Details]
(2020) 'The role of extension in dynamic economic adjustments: the case of Irish dairy farms'
Läpple, D., Barham, B. and Chavas, J.P. (2020) 'The role of extension in dynamic economic adjustments: the case of Irish dairy farms'. European Review Of Agricultural Economics, 47 :71-94 [Details]
(2020) 'Financial Benchmarking of Dairy Farms: Exploring the Relationship between Frequency of Use and Farm Performance'
Ramsbottom, G., Läpple, D. and Pierce, K. (2020) 'Financial Benchmarking of Dairy Farms: Exploring the Relationship between Frequency of Use and Farm Performance'. Journal Of Dairy Science, [Details]
(2020) 'Is there a joint lever? Identifying and ranking factors that determine GHG emissions and profitability on dairy farms in Bavaria, Germany'
Zehetmeier, M., Läpple, D. Hoffmann, H. Zerhusen, B, Strobl, M. Meyer-Aurich, A. Kapfer, M (2020) 'Is there a joint lever? Identifying and ranking factors that determine GHG emissions and profitability on dairy farms in Bavaria, Germany'. Agricultural Systems, [Details]
(2020) 'Can technology help achieve sustainable intensification? Evidence from milk recording on Irish dairy farms'
Balaine, L. Dillon, E.J., Läpple,D. and Lynch, J. (2020) 'Can technology help achieve sustainable intensification? Evidence from milk recording on Irish dairy farms'. Land Use Policy, 92 [Details]
(2019) 'How do Learning Ability, Advice from Experts and Peers Shape Decision Making?'
Läpple, D. and Barham, B. (2019) 'How do Learning Ability, Advice from Experts and Peers Shape Decision Making?'. Journal Of Behavioral And Experimental Economics, 80 :92-107 [Details]
(2019) 'Brexit and the disruption of agricultural trade: A view from Ireland, ARE Update'
Carter, C. and Läpple, D. (2019) 'Brexit and the disruption of agricultural trade: A view from Ireland, ARE Update'. University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics, 22 (3):12-15 [Details]
(2019) 'The Role of Innovation in Farm Economic Sustainability: Generalised Propensity Score Evidence from Irish Dairy Farms'
Läpple, D. and Thorne, F. (2019) 'The Role of Innovation in Farm Economic Sustainability: Generalised Propensity Score Evidence from Irish Dairy Farms'. Journal Of Agricultural Economics, 70 (1) :178-197 [Details]
(2019) 'Dairy Intensification and Quota Abolition: A Comparative Study of Production in Ireland and the Netherlands'
Läpple, D. and Sirr. G. (2019) 'Dairy Intensification and Quota Abolition: A Comparative Study of Production in Ireland and the Netherlands'. Eurochoices, 18(3) :26-32 [Details]
(2017) 'Sustainable Technology Adoption: A Spatial Analysis of the Irish Dairy Sector'
Läpple, D., Holloway, G.J., Lacombe, D. and O'Donoghue, C. (2017) 'Sustainable Technology Adoption: A Spatial Analysis of the Irish Dairy Sector'. European Review Of Agricultural Economics, 44 (5):810-835 [Details]
(2016) 'The digital divide in farming: a problem of access or engagement'
Hennessy, T., Läpple, D. and Moran, B. (2016) 'The digital divide in farming: a problem of access or engagement'. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 38 (3):474-491 [Details]
(2016) 'What drives innovation in the agricultural sector? A spatial analysis of knowledge spillovers'
Läpple, D., Renwick, A., Cullinan, J. and Thorne, F. (2016) 'What drives innovation in the agricultural sector? A spatial analysis of knowledge spillovers'. Land Use Policy, 56 :238-250 [Details]
(2015) 'Assessing the impact of financial incentives in extension programmes: Evidence from Ireland'
Läpple, D. and Hennessy, T. (2015) 'Assessing the impact of financial incentives in extension programmes: Evidence from Ireland'. Journal Of Agricultural Economics, 66 (3):781-795 [Details]
(2015) 'Spatial dependence in the adoption of organic drystock farming in Ireland'
Läpple, D. and Kelley, H. (2015) 'Spatial dependence in the adoption of organic drystock farming in Ireland'. European Review Of Agricultural Economics, 42 (2):315-337 [Details]
(2015) 'Measuring and understanding the drivers of agricultural innovation: Evidence from Ireland'
Läpple, D., Renwick, A. and Thorne, F. (2015) 'Measuring and understanding the drivers of agricultural innovation: Evidence from Ireland'. Food Policy, 51 :1-8 [Details]
(2014) 'Exploring the role of incentives in agricultural extension programs'
Läpple, D. and Hennessy, T. (2014) 'Exploring the role of incentives in agricultural extension programs'. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 37 (3):403-417 [Details]
(2013) 'Quantifying the economic return to participatory extension programmes in Ireland: an endogenous switching regression analysis'
Läpple, D., Hennessy, T. and Newman, C. (2013) 'Quantifying the economic return to participatory extension programmes in Ireland: an endogenous switching regression analysis'. Journal Of Agricultural Economics, 64 (2):467-482 [Details]
(2013) 'Understanding the uptake of organic farming: Accounting for heterogeneities among Irish farmers'
Läpple, D. and Kelley, H. (2013) 'Understanding the uptake of organic farming: Accounting for heterogeneities among Irish farmers'. Ecological Economics, 88 :11-19 [Details]
(2012) 'Extended grazing: a detailed analysis of Irish dairy farms'
Läpple, D., Hennessy, T. and O’Donovan, M. (2012) 'Extended grazing: a detailed analysis of Irish dairy farms'. Journal Of Dairy Science, 95 (1):188-195 [Details]
(2012) 'Organic, former organic and conventional farmers: how do they differ?'
Läpple, D. (2012) 'Organic, former organic and conventional farmers: how do they differ?'. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 28 (4):329-337 [Details]
(2012) 'The capacity to expand milk production in Ireland following the removal of milk quotas'
Läpple, D. and Hennessy, T. (2012) 'The capacity to expand milk production in Ireland following the removal of milk quotas'. Irish Journal Of Agricultural And Food Research, :1-11 [Details]
(2012) 'An economic analysis of the Irish milk quota exchange scheme'
Hennessy, T., Läpple, D., Wallace, M. and Shalloo, L. (2012) 'An economic analysis of the Irish milk quota exchange scheme'. International Journal of Agricultural Management, 1 (3):10-18 [Details]
(2012) 'The development and geographic distribution of organic farming in Ireland'
Läpple, D. and Cullinan, J. (2012) 'The development and geographic distribution of organic farming in Ireland'. Irish Geography, 45 (1):67-85 [Details]
(2011) 'Adoption of organic farming: are there differences between early and late adopters?'
Läpple, D. and VanRensburg, T. (2011) 'Adoption of organic farming: are there differences between early and late adopters?'. Ecological Economics, 70 (7):1406-1414 [Details]
(2010) 'The adoption and abandonment of organic farming: an empirical investigation of the Irish drystock sector'
Läpple, D. (2010) 'The adoption and abandonment of organic farming: an empirical investigation of the Irish drystock sector'. Journal Of Agricultural Economics, 61 (3):697-714 [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2011) Agricultural Research Forum
Läpple, D. and Hennessy, T. (2011) Extended grazing: a detailed analysis of NFS farms Agricultural Research Forum Tullamore, Ireland, , 14-MAR-11 [Details]
(2008) National Organic Conference
Läpple, D. and Donnellan, T. (2008) Farmer attitudes towards converting to organic farming National Organic Conference Tullamore, Ireland, , 02-DEC-08 , pp.114-120 [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2017) The Competitiveness of Irish Agriculture.
Thorne, F., Gillespie, P.R., Donnellan, T., Hanrahan, K., Kinsella, A. and Läpple, D. (2017) The Competitiveness of Irish Agriculture. Teagasc, Carlow. [Details]
(2015) A Review of the Financial Status of Irish Farms and Future Investment Requirements.
Thorne, F., Dillon, E. Donnellan, T., Hanrahan, K., Hennessy, T. Kinsella, A. Läpple, D. and McKeon, M. (2015) A Review of the Financial Status of Irish Farms and Future Investment Requirements. BOI, Dublin. [Details]
(2014) Innovation in the Irish Agrifood Sector.
Renwick, A., Läpple, D., O’Malley, A. and Thorne, F. (2014) Innovation in the Irish Agrifood Sector. BOI, Dublin. [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(2021) 'Quotas and emissions'
Läpple, D. , Buckley, C. and Carter, C. (2021) 'Quotas and emissions' TResearch, . [Details]
(2019) 'Milk recording - a winning formula for dairy farmers'
Balaine, L. Dillon, E.J., and Läpple,D. (2019) 'Milk recording - a winning formula for dairy farmers' TResearch, 14 (1) :32-33. [Details]
(2015) 'A review of the financial status of Irish farms and future investment requirements'
Thorne, F., Dillon, E., Donnellan, T., Hanrahan, K., Hennessy, T., Kinsella, A., Läpple, D. and McKeon, M. (2015) 'A review of the financial status of Irish farms and future investment requirements' TResearch, . [Details]
(2007) 'Investment decisions in agriculture: an empirical analysis of Bavaria'
Läpple, D. (2007) 'Investment decisions in agriculture: an empirical analysis of Bavaria' Yearbook of Socioeconomics in Agriculture, 1 :141-158. [Details]
(2007) 'Investments of individual farms and farming collectives'
Möhring, A. and Läpple, D. (2007) 'Investments of individual farms and farming collectives' Agrarforschung, 14 :332-337. [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2019) IAREP/SABE,
Läpple, D., Maertens, A. and Barham, B. (2019) Bayesian Updating and Peer Interactions: Evidence from a Laboratory Experiment. [Oral Presentation], IAREP/SABE, Dublin, Ireland , 01-SEP-19. [Details]
(2017) 91st Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society,,
Läpple, D., Sirr, G. and Barham, B. (2017) An Experimental Assessment of Learning Ability, Responsiveness to Advice and Peer Effects in Adoption Choices. [Oral Presentation], 91st Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society,, Dublin, Ireland , 24-APR-17 - 26-APR-17. [Details]
(2016) 89th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society,,
Läpple, D. and O’Donoghue, C. (2016) Technology adoption in a spatial context. [Oral Presentation], 89th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society,, Warwick, UK , 14-APR-16 - 16-APR-16. [Details]
(2016) 90th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society,
Läpple, D., Barham, B. and Chavas, J.P. (2016) The role of extension in dynamic economic adjustments: the case of Irish dairy farms. [Oral Presentation], 90th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society, Warwick, UK , 04-APR-16 - 06-APR-16. [Details]
(2016) Agricultural Economics Society of Ireland Conference,
Läpple, D., Barham, B. and Chavas, J.P. (2016) The role of extension on structural adjustments in the dairy sector leading up to milk quota abolition. [Oral Presentation], Agricultural Economics Society of Ireland Conference, Dublin, Ireland , 07-JAN-16. [Details]
(2014) European Association of Agricultural Economists Congress,
Läpple, D. and Kelley, H. (2014) Spatial dependence in the adoption of organic drystock farming in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], European Association of Agricultural Economists Congress, Ljubljana, Slovenia , 28-AUG-14. [Details]
(2014) 88th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society,,
Läpple, D. and Hennessy, T. (2014) Assessing the impact of financial incentives in extension programmes: Evidence from Ireland. [Oral Presentation], 88th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society,, Paris, France , 11-APR-14. [Details]
(2013) Agricultural Economics Society of Ireland Conference,,
Läpple, D. and Kelley, H. (2013) Spatial dependence in the adoption of organic drystock farming in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Agricultural Economics Society of Ireland Conference,, Dublin, Ireland , 07-NOV-13. [Details]
(2012) Applied Microeconometrics and Public Policy Conference,
Läpple, D. and Kelley, H. (2012) Neighborhood influence on the adoption of organic farming. [Oral Presentation], Applied Microeconometrics and Public Policy Conference, Galway, Ireland , 03-JUL-12. [Details]
(2010) Agricultural Economics Society of Ireland Conference,,
Hennessy, T., Läpple, D., Wallace, M. and Shalloo, L. (2010) An economic analysis of the Irish milk quota scheme. [Oral Presentation], Agricultural Economics Society of Ireland Conference,, Dublin, Ireland , 14-OCT-10. [Details]
(2010) 84th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society,,
Läpple, D. and Kelley, H. (2010) Understanding farmers’ uptake of organic farming: an application of the theory of planned behavior. [Oral Presentation], 84th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society,, Edinburgh, UK , 31-MAR-10. [Details]
(2009) 83rd Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society,
Läpple, D. (2009) Adoption and abandonment of organic farming: an empirical investigation of the Irish drystock sector. [Oral Presentation], 83rd Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society, Dublin, Ireland , 01-APR-09. [Details]
(2009) Irish Rural Studies Symposium,,
Läpple, D. (2009) Adoption and abandonment of organic farming: an empirical investigation of the Irish drystock sector. [Oral Presentation], Irish Rural Studies Symposium,, Athenry, Ireland , 01-SEP-09. [Details]
(2009) European Association of Agricultural Economists PhD Workshop,,
Läpple, D. (2009) Adoption and abandonment of organic farming: an empirical investigation of the Irish drystock sector. [Oral Presentation], European Association of Agricultural Economists PhD Workshop,, Giessen, Germany , 10-SEP-09. [Details]

Newspaper Articles

  Year Publication
(2020) Overview of Dairy Farms’ Breeding and Calf Marketing Decisions.
Läpple, D., and Ramsbottom, G. (2020) Overview of Dairy Farms’ Breeding and Calf Marketing Decisions. Agriland Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2010) Farm demography and the opportunities for dairy expansion in Food Harvest 2020.
Läpple, D., Hennessy, T. and O'Donoghue, C. (2010) Farm demography and the opportunities for dairy expansion in Food Harvest 2020. Irish Farmers Journal Supplement Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2010) The economics of extended grazing.
Hennessy, T., Kinsella, A., Läpple, D. and Moran, B. (2010) The economics of extended grazing. Irish Farmers Journal Newspaper Articles [Details]

Newsletter

  Year Publication
(2019) Advisory Services and Dairy Expansion in Ireland.
Läpple, D., Barham, B. and Chavas, J.P. (2019) Advisory Services and Dairy Expansion in Ireland. Whitaker Institute Policy Brief Newsletter [Details]

Report

  Year Publication
(2010) The capacity to expand milk production: evidence from the National Farm Survey.
Läpple, D. and Hennessy, T. (2010) The capacity to expand milk production: evidence from the National Farm Survey. Oakpark, Carlow: Teagasc Report [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2019 Outstanding Young Researcher Agricultural Economics Society (UK)
2016 OECD Co-operative Research Programme OECD
2009 Agricultural Economics Society Prize Essay Competition (joint winner) Agricultural Economics Society, UK

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
European Association of Agricultural Economists Member 01-JAN-14 /
Research Network on Economic Experiments for the Common Agricultural Policy. Member 01-JAN-17 /
Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Member 01-JAN-18 /
Agricultural Economics Society of Ireland Honorary Secretary 01-JAN-16 /
Agricultural Economics Society, UK Member 01-JAN-08 /

Other Activities

  Description

Associate Editor, Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems (2014 to 2021)

Associate Editor Journal of Agricultural Economics (2021-)

European Association of Agricultural Economists (EAAE) Liaison Officer for Ireland

Teaching Interests

I have a strong teaching interest in agricultural and food economics that is influenced by my research focus on sustainable  agricultural and food systems.

I am particularly interested in educating students about the opportunities and challenges facing agricultural and food systems, as well as the interactions with the environment, wider society, and policy.

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
2018/2019; 2019/20; 2021/22 Econometrics EC3105 Final Year elective module
2019/20; 2020/21 Global Issues in Agriculture, Marine and Renewable Energy Economics EC5116 MSc Global Environmental Economics Module
2015/2016 Economics of Food UCD
2017/2018 Principles of Microeconomics EC139
2017/2018; 2018/19; 2019/20 Environmental Economic Modelling EC5115 MSc Global Environmental Economics Module
2018/2019; 2019/20; 2021;22 Agricultural and Food Economics EC3104 Final Year elective module
2017/2018 Agricultural Economics and Policy EC5100 MSc Global Environmental Economics Module