Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from dairy systems
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Date
2025-12-08
Authors
Cantillon, Marion
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Publisher
University College Cork
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Abstract
One of the most significant challenges facing modern society is feeding the world's population while minimising agriculture's contribution to climate change. This challenge is particularly pronounced in dairy production, where products' carbon footprints and mitigation costs are high relative to those of other food products. The dairy sector is under growing pressure to lower greenhouse gas emissions while remaining economically viable. This thesis uses a farm-level optimisation model designed to assist farm managers in making strategic decisions regarding mitigation measures. Several mitigation measures are evaluated both individually and as groups of measures. The optimisation model is developed as part of a broader integrated internal modelling framework consisting of two existing Teagasc models: the Moorepark dairy systems model and the Dairy Life Cycle Assessment model. The framework is applied to data from Ireland through the National Farm Survey, split into top, middle and bottom representative farms from a profitability perspective.
The mitigation measures modelled included animal productivity, grass production and utilisation, better reproductive performance, early compact calving, reduced crude protein, decreased fertiliser N, protected urea, white clover, slurry tank cover and low emission slurry spreading (LESS). Throughout the thesis, four scenarios are evaluated: the baseline scenario, a scenario with an emission ceiling, a scenario with an individual mitigation measure, and a scenario with two grouped mitigation measures (grassland grouped, animal productivity grouped).
The results show that grassland management achieved the most significant emissions reduction while maintaining a net margin close to the baseline. Animal productivity achieved more modest emission reductions. Across all groups, both emission ceilings (10% and 25%) reduced net margin on the farm and were the least desirable measures when modelled.
This thesis shows that mitigation measures can lower emissions while maintaining economic viability, offering a practical way to steer Ireland towards a more sustainable dairy sector.
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Keywords
Decision support tool , Mitigation measures , Farm planning , Environmental , Economic
Citation
Cantillon, M. 2025. Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from dairy systems. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.