Analysis: Researchers need to work closely with farming communities if Ireland is to reduce greenhouse emissions
As the National Ploughing Championships prepare for the hundreds of thousands who will head to Ratheniska, Co Laois this week, it is worth examining how farms can be made more sustainable. Agriculture accounts for 37% of Ireland's greenhouse emissions and we need to work with the farming community if we are to reduce this figure.
Over the coming decades, agriculture and food systems will face unprecedented pressures, including an estimated 30% increase in the global population, intensifying competition for scarce land, water and energy resources, along with the numerous impacts of climate change.
Food production will need to increase by 60% by 2050 to provide for increased population. The EU Nature Restoration Law, strongly supported by the Irish Government, was passed in February 2024 and sets out to restore at least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Countrywide, Prof Frank O'Meara from Teagasc discusses the EPA report on 2023 and farming emissions
There is an unprecedented need for novel and innovative farming methods that reduce carbon footprint, increase efficiency of resources and inputs such as fertilisers and waste streams, while restoring and protecting biodiversity and our rivers and lakes. There are numerous research projects that work in partnership with farmers to reduce the impact on the environment and we are always looking for engage with communities looking to reduce their environmental footprint. Here are some examples of how UCC researchers work with farmers to achieve this
Turning slurry into feed
Farmyard slurry and soiled water has been transformed from a waste product needing storage into a way for farmers to grow animal feed thanks to pioneering research being carried out by UCC scientists. Under the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine-funded Duck-Feed project, researchers have devised a method of turning farmyard slurry into a way of growing nutritious, cheap animal feed. This is an excellent example of local circular economy, where one person's waste is another person’s treasure.
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From RTÉ Brainstorm, the successful back to basics approach of farming in the Burren
Reducing weeds without chemicals
Grass weeds compete with crops such as barley and wheat which is important in the context of evolving herbicide resistance and the commitment under the European Green Deal to reduce pesticide use. In the WeedTraits project, researchers are working to gain a better understanding of the physiological and molecular processes that determine weediness traits and how they determine competitive interactions with cereals.
Working with barley farmers
UCC and Irish Distillers are working with 300 barley suppliers and producers who've developed and launched the Sustainable Green Spring Barley Programme. This provides farmers with financial incentives for participating in and implementing biodiversity and soil conservation measures. Crop rotation, catch crops, hedgerow management, uncultivated margins, uncultivated unsprayed winter stubbles, chopped straw, and minimum tillage are among the practices being implemented. The research project aims to quantify the impacts of these sustainability initiatives on biodiversity (birds, bees, etc.) and soil carbon budgets.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Countrywide in 2022, a look at the barley harvest in Emo, Co Laois
Protecting rivers and streams from farm run-off
Our researchers are engaged with farms across Ireland to educate how they can protect watercourses from run off manures on farms using nature-based solutions with the benefit of reducing flooding risk. Testing on local waterways is conducted on an regular basis and we highlight to the farmers how their actions are improving their local waterways.
Use of precision technology in dairy farming
Researchers in the Cork University Business School have developed models to assess the rate of adoption of precision technologies, such as sensors and robotics, by dairy farmers and to establish the impact of such technologies on economic performance and environmental sustainability indicators.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
