News
Methane emissions from dairy farms higher than official figures suggest
Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the International Fugitive Emissions Abatement Association (IFEAA) measured methane emissions at two dairy farms in Cornwall between 2022 and 2023.
They did this by covering slurry lagoons with airtight covers which were used to capture the methane emitted.
Actual emissions from the farms were recorded on an annualised basis as 145kg and 198kg per cow respectively. This is four to five times higher than the existing official figure of 38kg per cow reported in the UK’s National Inventory.
As a result, the researchers argued in a new white paper published in ‘Environmental Research, Food Systems’ that the current calculations used by countries to report their emissions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) may not be robust.
The authors also called for greater focus from researchers and political leaders on emissions from manure management, including increased grants for slurry covers.
In addition, the study found that if farms are successful in capturing the methane emitted and then turn it into biogas, it could be worth more than £400m a year to the dairy sector in saved fuel costs. This translates to around £52,500 for an average-sized dairy farm.
If current capture technology is rolled out across the EU dairy herd, the researchers found that the conversion of methane to biofuel could reduce emissions equivalent to an estimated 5.8% of the remaining global temperature rise budget.
Commenting on the findings, Professor Neil Ward of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at UEA said: “The standard international methodology looks to be underestimating methane emissions from slurry storage.
“Fortunately, we have the technology to turn this problem into a business opportunity for farmers who can reduce energy bills and become energy independent if they capture and make use of methane as a fuel.
“If emissions from manure management are being significantly under-estimated, this not only means that official estimates are inaccurate, but also that priorities around mitigation options might be being distorted.
“This research therefore represents an urgent call for action and further work to better understand methane emissions from manure management.”
The researchers also called for simplified planning and permitting processes, in addition to tax breaks for supply chain investment in methane recovery and use.
Professor Penny Atkins, IFEAA CEO, added: “The technology exists for capturing, processing and utilising the methane that is currently lost to the atmosphere and contributing to GHG accumulation, and looks economically promising particularly if an incentives framework for capital investment on farms, coupled with regulatory support, can be implemented.
“The cumulative contribution of methane from dairy farm manure management is significant and this data shows we must act now to curb emissions.”
The white paper was supported by the Net Zero Methane Hub, which has received £285,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
In other news, Kellanova has announced plans to invest £75m into its cereal production facility in Wrexham.
