Reduced dairy emissions key to future payments

CHANGES are coming in agricultural policy and farmers need to get ahead of the game in terms of carbon audits, soil sampling and nutrient management plans which will soon become part of routine compliance with regulations.

That was just one of the take home messages at an SAC Consulting ‘Chewing the Cud About Dairy Cows and Carbon meeting at Culscadden, in Wigtownshire.

The event was hosted by Peter and Sarah Simpson, who have built up a milking herd of 1000 cows, breeding all their own replacements and selling 750 Angus beef cross calves to Marks and Spencer, per year. It centred around equipping farmers with knowledge and tools to reduce emissions and drive overall productivity.

Consultant, Lorna Galloway said: “My advice to you is to get ahead of the curve and get to grips with the information you are going to be gathering before we are in a position where it is compulsory.”

Agricultural economist

SPEAKERS, PROFESSOR John Newbold, Steven Thomson and Chris Walkland

Steven Thomson from SRUC admitted that the Scottish Government is looking at ways farmers can reduce their carbon emissions, some of which would feature as future payment conditions.

“Many dairy farmers are addressing soil compaction, methane production, feed efficiency ratios, calving at two years of age, looking at

reduced mortality levels, all of these elements help you reduce your carbon footprint and those are the types of measures that the Scottish Government is looking at,” he said, adding that some of these would feature as future payment conditions.

“Many of you are already achieving these conditions which is why all the

discussions I am having with the Scottish Government are about recognising those that are already achieving. Historically, in policy terms, farmers got paid to change or improve, but it should be about you achieving.”

There has been much talk about feed additives and nutrition which could help reduce emissions, but

CULSCADDEN IS home to 1000 cows and 750 Angus beef cross calves that are sold annually to Marks and Spencer

farmers also need to consider renewable energy, improved productivity on farm and reducing input costs.

SRUC dairy nutritionist Professor John Newbold spoke of the new additive, Bovaer which should be available in the UK in 2023 and is already being rolled out in Europe when it has been found to reduce methane emissions in dairy cattle by 30%.

Meanwhile, renewables consultant John Farquhar advised farmers to install an energy meter and measure what they have, before exploring what renewable options might fit their operation.

“The viability of installing solar PV is back and it is a win-win to dairy farmers who have high energy requirements, as it should lower energy costs and lower their carbon footprint,” he said.

On a practical level, by calving at two years and focussing on fertility and longevity, Jo Wallace of Machar’s Vets, said productivity at Culscadden

has been improved. With strict protocols for calf rearing, colostrum intake and quality and hygiene, the Simpsons are achieving a 23.6months age at first calving, with proactive genomic testing and a focus on high fertility, and longevity.

However, commentator, Chris Walkland warned farmers could be pushed out of business if future farming policy continues to favour carbon mitigation over food production.

“If we carry on the direction of travel we are on now, we will know exactly how much carbon has gone in to making products that used to be on supermarket shelves, that aren’t there anymore because they have driven you all out of the industry, and I think policy makers need to be aware of that.”

He said there is too much focus on how many tonnes of carbon a farm produces while ignoring other important outputs, such as how many families each farm feeds.