Mitigating GHG emissions from beef production systems. The Carbon Navigator Paul Crosson Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre Teagasc, Grange National Agri-Environment Conference, 5 December 2012
Presentation Overview Background & context Carbon auditing on beef farms Reducing GHG emissions - Carbon Navigator Summary
Background & context
Irish beef sector 1.1 m suckler cows & 114,000 cattle farms Output : 500,000 t beef - 1.8 bn 93% exported
Share of national emissions Agriculture is the Transport, 19.7 Agriculture, 32.1 largest contributor to national emissions Waste, 1.8 The beef sector is a significant Energy, 20.8 Industry, 14 Residential, 11.5 component of this BUT
Efficiency of production.. 5th lowest carbon footprint in EU! JRC (2011)
Challenges For Irish beef production: 1. Demonstrate continued sustainability of beef cattle systems i.e. audit of GHG emissions 2. Put in place systems to reduce GHG emissions per kg beef, i.e. mitigate emissions
Carbon auditing
An approach to measuring GHG emissions Capture activity data 1. Farm questionnaire Quantify emissions Emissions Model 2. Animal inventory (AIM) Total GHG emissions (t CO2e) 3. Research data Beef output (kg beef live weight) Carbon Footprint
Carbon audit preliminary findings GHG emissions (CO2e) per kg beef 18 16.7 16 14.5 14.3 14 12 9.8 10 10.3 8 6 4 2 0 Suckler weanling Suckler store Suckler finish Dairy store Dairy finish
Carbon audit preliminary findings Carbon footprint (kg CO2e/kg beef live weight) Suckler beef production Dairy beef production To weanling To store To finish Calf to store Calf to finish Store to finish All systems Mean 16.7 14.5 14.3 9.8 10.3 13.8 13.4 Max 22.5 21.3 18.9 11.3 14.0 24.1 Min 14.1 8.4 8.0 7.7 8.3 Max =24.1 3.25 x Min 7.4 7.4 Std Dev 3.0 3.2 2.0 1.7 1.4 3.3 3.1
MACC for Irish agriculture Cost beneficial Cost neutral Cost prohibitive
Mitigation of GHG emissions Teagasc/Bord Bia Carbon Navigator
What is the Carbon Navigator Partnership approach: Teagasc & Bord Bia Online software to assist farmers: To understand how their farms produce GHG emissions To identify mitigation capacity To set targets and a pathway to reduce emissions
Principles Mitigation measures: Reduce carbon footprint Increase profitability Practical to implement Cutting not counting Software program User friendly - data Scientifically robust Complementary to ongoing programmes
Livestock systems emissions Concentrates + Fertilizer + Energy (diesel and electricity) CO2 System boundary Feed production Farm gate Animal production Manure management Kg beef carcass N2O, NH3 CO2 CH4 CH4, N2O, NH3
Measure 1/6: extended grazing season Lower quantity of slurry stored Lower ruminant digestion emissions higher digestibility diet Lower energy (fuel) emissions
Measure 1/6: extended grazing season Short Medium Long Turnout date 01-Apr 15-Mar 15-Mar Housing date 15-Oct 30-Oct 30-Nov Stocking rate (LU/ha) 2.7 2.7 2.7 Average cow numbers 57 57 57 Cows calving 66 66 66 Grass % 61 66 68 27.6 26.7 26.1 Emissions (CO2e/kg carcass) Reduction of 5.5% in GHG emissions
Measure 2/6: daily live weight gain Impact of improved live weight performance over the life time Higher live weight performance associated with higher intake and higher absolute emissions Beef output more than offsets these emissions, thus emissions per kg beef is lower
Measure 2/6: daily live weight gain Liveweight gain a key driver of efficiency 23.0 NFS kg CO 2 e per kg beef carcass Animal management (Casey and Holden, 2006; Foley et al. (2011) 22.0 Foley et al., 2010) Management 21.0 Management Level of feeding (Subak, 1999; Foley et&al., 2010; 20.0 feeding 19.0 Pelletier et al., 2010; Peters et al., 2010) 18.0 17.0 855 912 Liv e weight gain (g/day) 1047
Measure 3/6: calving rate Suckler cow is a significant overhead (~70-80 kg methane) Will largely carry that overhead regardless of calving rate Thus, higher calving rates will reduce emissions burden per kg beef produced
Measure 4/6: age at first calving Life time emissions will depend on age at first calving Higher AFC results in greater feed, ruminant digestion and manure emissions Target to first calve at 24 months of age
Measure 5/6: nitrogen efficiency N application and production accounts for ~15 20% of total systems emissions per unit output Improved N use efficiency can reduce this burden Timing, rate and compound used Incorporation of clover into grazing swards
Measure 5/6: nitrogen efficiency N applied (kg/ha) Feed (kg N/ha) Live weight output (kg/ha) N efficiency (kg N/kg live weight) eprofit Monitor 168 16 551 0.33 National Farm Survey 74 7 231 0.39 Derrypatrick, Grange 195 25 1213 0.18
Measure 6/6: manure management Manure management accounts for ~10-15% of total system emissions per unit output Better management via application date, methods and volume managed can reduce this
Set current and target performance Review impact on GHG emissions per kg beef Scoring chart Indicator of improvement in profitability
Application Outline current performance levels: autofill from carbon audit or farmer/advisor inputs information Set realistic targets for future performance Review : Reduction in emissions Indicator of change in profitability
Projected Greenhouse gas reductions National Average Beef (kg CO2e/kg carcass) 2008 2018 23.1 21.7 High Performance 18.9
Summary GHG emissions; environmental and consumer related concerns for beef cattle systems Irish beef is among the most carbon efficient in the world Mitigation/reduction options are available that can increase profit and reduce emissions A software tool is currently in development to assist GHG mitigation
Thank you Paul Crosson Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Email: paul.crosson@teagasc.ie Phone: +353 46 9061100 Fax: +353 46 9061154