Emissions
At Dairy Campus we undertake scientific and practical research into reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia in livestock farming. In our cowsheds and on our land we work on smart solutions that contribute to achieving our 2050 environmental goals.
Much of our current research focuses on greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, such as methane and nitrous oxide. Ammonia emissions are another of our key focal areas.
The dairy farming sector will need to make a major effort to achieve the climate goals. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions calls for structural changes to our farming system.
Our research delivers practical, easy-to-implement farm-level knowledge for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide) as well as ammonia and nitrogen.
Ready for practical use
Looking ahead to 2030, our research is primarily focused on making solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions ready for practical use. We collect precise data on emissions, but also on uptake. After all, not only does the agricultural sector emit greenhouse gases, but the soil and vegetation also act as a carbon sink, which can help compensate for the emissions it produces. Well-managed, permanent grassland, for example, can play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It can also help mitigate the consequences of climate change with extremely dry and wet periods.
Emissions of greenhouse gases must be reduced even further by 2050. Our energy supply must be almost fully sustainable by then, and emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases must be 80-95% lower than in 1990. A significant share of that reduction will need to come from dairy farming. Low emission floors, manure/urine separation and the cow toilet are practical examples being trialled at Dairy Campus.
At Dairy Campus we work on:
- Reducing ammonia emissions and nitrogen losses
- Reducing greenhouse gases
- Reducing methane from manure
- Reducing emissions via animal feed/fodder
- The role of grassland
- Practical and feasible solutions for practitioners
At Dairy Campus we have a range of housing units and facilities where we can measure emissions in practice. These include:
- An environment house <link>
- Green feed measuring stations, where we measure methane emissions in cows’ breath
- Measuring houses for researching different emission-saving floor concepts
- A feeding house <link>
- Farm-level research
Research at our centre delivers practical, easy-to-implement farm-level knowledge for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide). Our work encompasses measures for both curbing and preventing emissions. We also focus on reducing ammonia and therefore nitrogen losses, odour and particulate matter. At Dairy Campus we can monitor emissions at various levels:
- Cow and herd
- Housing concepts
- Feed strategies including grazing
Making sustainable progress
Over the next few years our research will primarily focus on making solutions for further reducing greenhouse gas emissions ready for practical use. Collecting precise data on emissions and feed uptake plays a major role in this. After all, not only does the agricultural sector emit greenhouse gases, but the soil and vegetation also act as a carbon sink, which can help compensate for the emissions it produces. Well-managed grassland, correct fertilisation and forage composition can play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, for example.
Over the next few years, Dairy Campus wants to work with researchers, businesses and the sector to find effective solutions that can help achieve the 2050 climate goals. This will require both fundamental and practical research and the development of new knowledge on climate smart livestock farming.