Lowering carbon footprint of dairy farms is achievable – AFBI

Lowering the carbon footprint of dairy farms is achievable. Nevertheless, a spread of instruments might be wanted to impact change.

These embody the usage of feed components (reminiscent of seaweed extracts),the decreased use of nitrogen fertiliser and the extra environment friendly administration of animals.

Dr. Tianhai Yan is a world-leading scientist on the Agri-Meals Bioscience Institute (AFBI), specialising in methane emissions from cattle.

He has highlighted the important thing findings of the latest Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Livestock (CIEL) report ‘Internet Zero and Livestock: How Farmers Can Scale back Emissions’.

Case research noticed discount in carbon footprint

Utilizing actual case examine farms, the report has highlighted that by deploying a variety of mitigation measures, a 31.5% discount of the carbon footprint of a better yielding herd was achievable, whereas a 16.9% discount was doable with a spring calving herd.

Dr. Yan commented: “There are a selection of sensible mitigations that can be utilized on dairy farms to assist make sure that emissions from agriculture could be decreased, this consists of sensible vitamin and management-based practices designed to decrease emissions of ammonia and methane.

“At AFBI, we now have carried out in depth analysis modelling mitigation methods on our farm to assist decide the simplest technique to scale back greenhouse fuel [GHG] emissions from cattle and sheep.

“This consists of the event of power rationing techniques for precision farming which have resulted in enhancements within the effectivity of milk manufacturing and has decreased the extent of emissions generated per unit of milk produced.”

Different forages to cut back carbon footprint

In line with Yan, AFBI can be researching the dietary advantages of other forages for dairy and beef cattle.

This work consists of measuring how these forages, in addition to feed components and seaweed extracts, can minimise the affect of enteric methane emissions from cattle.

“This, mixed with administration practices reminiscent of lowering the age at first calving to 24 months, improved genetics and fertility, has proven {that a} important discount in GHG emissions could be achieved,” Yan defined.

“The analysis outlined within the CIEL report is a improbable useful resource for all livestock farmers and I’d urge them to take a while and examine its findings.”

Mitigating measures

The CIEL report units out eight choices for farmers that, if applied partly or wholly, might assist make a major distinction to the emissions from the dairy sector.

Lead on the analysis, Prof. Elizabeth Magowan, additionally highlighted the truth that the vary of mitigations modelled within the report couldn’t solely assist shield the setting, they might additionally assist farms turn into extra environment friendly.

“In our analysis we now have recognized quite a few key areas the place farmers might act now to cut back their carbon footprint. A type of key areas is round effectivity on the farm.

“Bettering effectivity not solely reduces the carbon footprint of farms, however it additionally helps guarantee farms are higher run and extra worthwhile,” she said.