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Project title

Development and application of transformative genetic, dietary and manure management technologies to reduce methane emissions from Irish pasture-based beef and dairy production

Primary Funding Agency

DAFM

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Lead Organisation

Teagasc

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

Agriculture contributes ~37% of Irish GHG emissions. Methane accounts for ~70% of agri-emissions, predominantly from enteric methane derived from fermentation of feed in the rumen, with manure and slurry methane emissions also making an important, albeit lower, contribution. Ireland has committed to reducing agricultural GHGs by 25% by 2030, including a recommended 10% reduction in agri-methane emissions. Thus, strategies to mitigate enteric and manure methane need to be rapidly developed and implemented on farm to comply with these targets. Due to this urgency, MAGS, a cross-jurisdiction, multi-organisational project will develop, apply and validate a range of the most promising novel technologies (including breeding strategies, feed and manure additives) to mitigate enteric and manure methane in beef and dairy pasture-based production systems. Using methane, host genetics, rumen microbiome and performance data made available through previous and on-going projects �RumenPredict�, �MASTER�, �GreenBreed� and �Methane-Predict�, novel microbiome-assisted genomic based breeding evaluations for selection of cattle with predicted low methane emissions will be developed and tested across a range of dietary regimes. Industry partners will assist in developing novel long-lasting and slow-release bolus technologies to deploy the most promising feed additives, as evidenced previously in the 'Meth-Abate' project. These will be tested in addition to novel breeding strategies and manure additives in beef and dairy grazing systems. Bioeconomic and life-cycle assessments modelling, informed by data emanating from beef and dairy cattle studies will identify optimal solutions in a multi-criteria framework. Data generated will also contribute to refining national GHG emissions inventories. Working with the EPA GHG inventories team, we will develop and implement new emission factors incorporating methane suppressing technologies and explore the opportunity to evolve to Tier 3 emissions factors for enteric methane emissions. Best combinations of strategies will be further demonstrated and delivered on farms across Ireland through the Teagasc Signpost programme.

Grant Approved

�1,437,152.66

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

3. Climate Solutions, Transition Management and Opportunities

Start Date

01/12/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/11/2027