Can the Irish Agri sector achieve emission reduction targets?

Tom O’Dwyer and Siobhán Kavanagh join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to consider whether the agri sector can achieve emission reduction targets. Siobhán first outlines national, European and international climate action policy that will dictate the need to reduce total emissions from agriculture to the tune of 15%. When considering new and emerging technologies that have the potential to reduce environmental footprint, Tom explains that research is ongoing in areas such as methane inhibitors while Tom urges farmers to embrace and adopt proven solutions such as protected Urea, LESS and inclusion of white clover. Siobhán gives details about the fifty-four dairy Signpost farms dotted across the country which represent different farm scale, soil type and farm system (spring calving/autumn calving/organic). The Signpost farms aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10-15% by implementing grassland management practices such as increased grass utilisation, reseeding and inclusion of white clover. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change--air-quality/signpost-programme/ For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/ The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com