Irish Grain Helps Reduce Emissions in Dairy Production

Irish grain has significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the livestock sector, experts from Teagasc emphasize. Although only about 7% of the country’s agricultural land is dedicated to grain crops, the annual harvest amounts to 2–2.4 million tons of grain. However, the demand from the agricultural sector significantly exceeds these volumes, forcing Ireland to import around 5 million tons of feed ingredients, including corn, soybean meal, and other components, the production and transportation of which often come with a substantial carbon footprint.

This is reported by AgroReview

Carbon Footprint of Irish Grain and Benefits of Using Local Products

Thanks to the AgNav platform developed by Teagasc, ICBF, and Bord Bia, farmers now have a tool for accurately calculating emissions from grain cultivation. According to this platform, the carbon footprint of Irish grain is among the lowest in the world — ranging from 170 to 250 kg CO₂e per ton. The incorporation of straw contributes to carbon accumulation in the soil, and crops such as oats and winter wheat sometimes provide nearly zero emissions balance. Key factors for efficiency include yield and optimal fertilizer application.

Replacing Imported Feeds with Local Grain: Impact on Ecology and Economy

Switching to local grain for feed production can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of livestock products, especially when it comes to replacing ingredients associated with deforestation in exporting countries. In Ireland, the average dairy cow consumes about 1.25 tons of concentrates per year, most of which can be replaced with local crops — barley, oats, wheat, and legumes — without losing nutritional value.

Calculations show that replacing 64% of the feed ration ingredients with local sources can reduce the carbon intensity of the feed by 50% — from 0.83 to 0.42 kg CO₂e per kilogram. For a single dairy cow, this means a reduction in annual emissions of approximately 520 kg CO₂e or 7.4% per kilogram of milk produced. Importantly, such results can be achieved without additional investments or changes in herd management — simply by changing the sources of raw materials.

“Calculations show that replacing 64% of the ration ingredients with local sources can reduce the carbon intensity of the feed by 50% — from 0.83 to 0.42 kg CO₂e/kg. For a dairy cow, this means a reduction in emissions of approximately 520 kg CO₂e per year or 7.4% per kilogram of milk.”

Although there is not enough Irish grain to fully meet the needs of livestock farming, it is sufficient to significantly increase the share in the rations of individual farms. This approach enhances food self-sufficiency, reduces dependence on imports, and improves the environmental reputation of the Irish dairy sector, even if some emissions from feed do not appear in national statistics.