The UK Dairy Carbon Network aims to enhance environmentally sustainable practices in dairy farming by gathering farms to test innovative strategies for carbon emissions reduction. This initiative aims to bring together 56 dairy farms from four principal dairy-producing regions across the UK, which include Northern Ireland, Cumbria and southwest Scotland, northwest England, south and southwest England, and West Wales.
Led by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), the project will serve as a platform for testing and evaluating innovative herd management and environmental strategies. The aim is to create demonstration sites where practical solutions can be applied to reduce carbon emissions associated with dairy farming.
The project will explore several areas, including advancements in animal management and land use, as well as improvements in nutrient management and technology. Key to this initiative is its focus on optimising the use of nitrogen and phosphorus, balancing both economic viability for farmers and environmental sustainability.
Professor Steven Morrison, the project lead, explained the overarching goal: “Our goal is to drive meaningful change in the sector by applying research findings directly to real-world farming conditions and measuring the impact.” He pointed out the high level of interest from the agricultural sector during the project’s formation, noting that over 50 organisations have shown support and a willingness to participate.
To assess the project’s impact, a mix of direct data collection, innovative indicators, and farm-level carbon footprint assessments will be utilised. This thorough methodology is designed to accurately capture the effects of mitigation strategies at a national level. The project aims to foster the widespread adoption of practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance sustainability within the dairy industry.
Knowledge sharing is a crucial part of the UK Dairy Carbon Network’s approach. With a farmer-led learning model, the project intends to facilitate the dissemination of best practices among dairy farmers. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and AgriSearch are expected to provide additional information on how the four regional networks will operate. Farmers interested in participating will have the opportunity to register their interest in the initiative.
Professor Morrison emphasised the significance of farmer involvement, stating: “The selected farmers will be at the heart of these dynamic networks and will demonstrate a range of carbon mitigation strategies on their farms. The lessons learned from this will be communicated to policy makers, industry, academia and, most importantly, other farmers.” This collaborative and research-focused approach aims to ensure that effective carbon reduction strategies are not only developed but are also scalable and applicable across the dairy sector in the UK.
