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Project title

Strategic Urine Patch Emissions Reduction Technology

Primary Funding Agency

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Lead Organisation

Teagasc

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

Technologies for detecting and treating urine patches, such as Spikey�, avoid the need for the widespread application of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) across entire paddocks. This provides a new way to mitigate up to 40% of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in grazing ruminant systems. The targeted approach reduces the amount of NIs used by up to 80%, reducing the risk of NI being taken up by pasture and entering the food chain via grazing animals. However, various biophysical and biochemical factors (including soil type, moisture levels, timing of inhibitor application, inhibitor characteristics, concentration and volume, and pasture canopy) affect the co-location (physical contact) of inhibitors with urine, and therefore the inhibitor�s efficacy in reducing N2O emissions. While some evaluations have been published, there is limited scientific research on food safety and the potential human health risks of NI use using a targeted application approach. To address this, we will use our previous Ireland�NZ collaboration of researchers established under a successful Global Partnership in Livestock Emissions Research (GPLER) project and will also include in the consortium for this proposal risk assessment expertise from University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland. This team has the required specialist skills, facilities, and proven record of accomplishment in developing practical N2O emission mitigation strategies from grazing livestock systems. The proposed research will quantify the potential to reduce N2O emissions and increase the effectiveness of on-farm targeted treatment of urine patches using NIs by: i) improving the inhibitor application process to urine patches and minimising inhibitors� pasture canopy capture ii) determining and eliminating factors that limit the efficacy of NIs iii) optimising the volume and concentration of inhibitors to ensure they effectively co-locate with urine at sufficient concentrations iv) determining and mitigating the potential risk of NI residues in the food chain and environment.

Grant Approved

�1,551,451.45

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

2. Ireland's Future Climate, its Impacts, and Adaptation Options

Start Date

01/05/2025

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/04/2028