UK Dairy Farms to Pioneer Emission Reduction

More than 50 dairy farms across the UK are embarking on an ambitious project to reduce emissions as part of the newly established UK Dairy Carbon Network. This initiative, launched by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) with funding from Defra, aims to demonstrate that reducing emissions can align with enhancing efficiency and productivity. As part of the three-year programme, farms will focus on gathering partial carbon footprints to identify the best strategies for emission reduction and to track progress. Farms are organized into four regional clusters: South and South-West England/Wales; Cumbria and South-West Scotland; North-West England; and Northern Ireland.

Throughout the programme, these farms will explore a series of practices designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The project supports breeding methods to minimize methane output and optimizes animal feed formulations to improve dietary efficiency. Healthier herds, achieved through enhanced health and disease management, are expected to be more productive and less emission-intensive. Professor Steven Morrison, project director at AFBI, emphasized the importance of combining practical science with farmer expertise to achieve significant outcomes. Other project elements include improving forage quality and utilization and emphasizing nutrient planning to reduce fertilizer-related emissions. Dedicated farm liaison officers in each region will facilitate support and knowledge exchange through various events and open days.