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Project Code [2023RP921]
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Project title
Low-emissions dairy production without fertilizer N or herbicides
Primary Funding Agency
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
Lead Organisation
Teagasc
Lead Applicant
Not listed
Project Abstract
The LoCAM-dairy project (2019R521) is showing that the C-arbon & AM-monia footprints of milk production can be lowered substantially (25%) without impacting on economic competitiveness using zero fertilizer N input to clover-based grassland. There is huge interest in this system with large numbers of dairy farmers visiting Solohead Research Farm in recent years. A question that has come up is the implementation of this system on fragmented dairy farms where there is a stocking rate between 3.0 and 3.5 cows per ha on the grazing platform (area of the farm accessible for grazing by dairy cows). One objective is to develop a low emissions blueprint for fragmented dairy farms. This system (LoCAM-3.3) will have a stocking rate of 3.3 cows per ha on the grazing platform (representing 73% of the overall farm area) with the remaining 27% of the system area (inaccessible to grazing cows) will be solely for silage production from red clover swards. This will be compared with the existing LoCAM-2.4 system in which the entire farm area is available for grazing and production of silage. Both systems will have an overall stocking rate of 2.4 cows per ha and will receive no artificial fertilizer N. The comparison will include economic performance, greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and impact on water quality. New knowledge generated by this study will be integrated with existing knowledge for the development of blueprints for low-emissions pasture-based dairy farming that delivers a competitive economic return to dairy farmers. A second study will quantify the impact of implementing these blueprints on 25 commercial dairy farms (LoCAM Dairy Farms). Data collected on these farms will be used to quantify improvements in carbon and ammonia footprints and implications for economic performance. A third study will investigate reseeding multispecies swards without use of herbicides or fertilizer N.
Grant Approved
�685,088.49
Research Hub
Climate Change
Research Theme
1. Carbon Stocks, GHG Emissions, Sinks and Management Options
Initial Projected Completion Date
30/06/2028