How does Irish dairy farming impact carbon emissions?

Carbon emissions from the agriculture sector are normally a result of natural processes. The main gases that are produced through agricultural practices include methane and nitrous oxide. Methane gas is produced as ruminant animals digest plant material (e.g. grass) by microbial fermentation. Methane gas is also produced by anaerobic digestion of animal excreta during manure storage. Nitrous oxide is produced when animal manure and artificial nitrogen are used as crop fertilisers. An EPA projections report has forecast a 1 % increase in total GHG emissions by 2020 but emissions by the agricultural sector will remain at 33 %.

However, Irish dairy farms have the joint lowest level of carbon emissions in the EU. This is as a result of the grass based production system. With increasing focus on sustainability and on farm efficiencies, many farmers are focusing on grassland management in an effort to extend the grazing season on their farm and drive more production from grass. It is estimated that for every 10 day increase in grazing season there is a 1.7 % reduction in green house gas emissions.

Extra Information:

Both national and international research has stated that Irish dairy farming has amongst the lowest water and carbon footprints in the world. In addition to a range of policy measures, Origin Green is a national sustainability programme which promotes the reduction of GHG emissions throughout the Irish food and drink sector. In addition, Ireland’s dairy industry have established Dairy Sustainability Ireland, a whole sector and whole government partnership, which is working to develop new approaches for environmental and economic sustainability on dairy farms.