Shrinking the Carbon Hoofprint: Ireland Charts A Collective Path to Climate Smart Cows

Is shrinking the dairy sector the only way to achieve emissions reductions consistent with IPCC recommended targets?

Structural systemic differences between the Irish and American models of dairy production illuminate opportunities to achieve more than 50% reductions in methane emissions with management changes that increase grazing, reduce manure storage, and incorporate novel feed ingredients.

The dairy sector has long been at the crossroads of environmental, scientific, business, labor, and social justice. Its role in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, has raised significant concerns in recent years. As we delve into this complex topic, it's worth noting that our current endeavors align closely with the Grow Well portfolio. We are gearing up to support a new climate smart project focused on the dairy industry, and in the midst of preparing a paper invited for submission to Carbon Footprints. My interest in managing dairy system greenhouse gas, water, and air impacts goes all the way back to my time at the Rodale Institute in the 2000s when the organic industry was working out the Pasture Rule, which then served as inspiration for my PhD research at Penn State. There I focused on how increased pasture utilization could improve nitrogen management in organic (and “conventional”) dairy systems. 

Understanding the Differences

The divergence between the Irish and American dairy systems is stark. In the US, the confinement model dominates, leading to significant methane emissions from stored manure. Confinement and concentration in the dairy sector have grown markedly in recent decades. Associated methane emissions from stored manure have risen by a staggering 78% since 1990. In contrast, Ireland's dairy sector follows a more extensive, pasture-based model Like grazing-based US dairies, Irish producers are also experimenting with strategies like the use of red seaweed to reduce enteric emissions and grazing season extension to minimize manure storage and related emissions.

Confinement and consolidation in the US dairy industry have fueled methane emissions from stored manure. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the sheer scale of American operations. The need to address this issue is evident, and it calls for innovative solutions to curb emissions.

Led by Ireland’s jurisdictional sustainability program, Origin Green, Irish dairy producers have been documenting grazing-based systems’ immense potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They have integrated legumes  into their forages, minimizing in-field nitrous oxide emissions, and also reducing the need for fossil fuel-intensive synthetic fertilizer, further lowering the greenhouse gas footprint.

The Path to Sustainability

Ireland's commitment to reducing methane emissions from its dairy sector aligns with the European Union's climate targets. To achieve this, innovative financing models are essential. Simply put, farmers need funding to be able to access resources and invest in sustainable practices, infrastructure, and technology.

Currently, in Ireland, funding mechanisms are inadequate for farmers to make these investments. High-interest rates, market volatility, and various external factors, such as Brexit and rising energy costs, make securing financing a daunting task. US-farmers are also contending with a sharply increased cost of capital, making adoption of any management changes that would increase operating capital needs cost prohibitive.

Dairy cooperatives in Ireland have emerged as a promising solution. While debt levels are rising, Irish cooperatives are offering flexible financing options, such as the MilkFlex Loan scheme, which allows farmers to adapt to seasonality and market fluctuations.

Achieving substantial emissions reductions requires a focus on specific farm management changes and technologies. Potential adaptations include grazing season extension, feed additives like 3-NOP or Brominata, manure additives such as SOP LAGOON, and more capital-intensive solutions like digesters. In Ireland, efforts are focusing on grazing season extension and reducing synthetic fertilizer use by planting legumes, which are supported by technical and cost assistance for all producers. 

Achieving sustainability in the dairy sector is not necessarily synonymous with shrinking the industry. In the US over the last 30 years, even a shrinking industry resulted in increased emissions overall. Instead, it requires a multifaceted approach that considers scenarios from a systems perspective.. The Irish model, with its focus on grazing and innovative feed additives, showcases how systemic changes could reduce methane emissions. Financing mechanisms, such as dairy cooperatives, can play a pivotal role in facilitating this transition. By embracing these strategies and learning from global differences, we can work towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible dairy sector while still meeting the recommended targets set by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).