Teagasc has urged farmers to continue taking actions to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertiliser they use and to move towards finishing cattle at younger ages.
It comes after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions report on Friday, which showed that agricultural emissions dropped by 1.7% (346,000t CO2e) in 2024 and overall emissions dropped by 2%.
However, the EPA said that this reduction is primarily due to reduced cattle numbers. Meanwhile, there was a 10.6% increase in fertiliser nitrogen use.
Head of the Teagasc Climate Centre, Dr Karl Richards said there needs to be a focus on technologies that reduce reliance on nitrogen fertiliser, while also switching to lower emission nitrogen products.
“Compared to 2018, farmers have reduced nitrogen fertiliser use, but its usage increased in 2024, contributing to the increase in nitrous oxide emissions,” he said.
“Protected urea use has increased rapidly from zero in 2018, to almost one third of straight nitrogen fertiliser sales in 2024.”
Soil
Less lime was spread in both 2023 and 2024 than in previous years, which Teagasc described as “concerning”. In addition, the purchase of fertiliser P and K also declined in those years.
Dr Tom O’Dwyer, head of the Teagasc Signpost Programme said it is concerning that farmers “must keep the focus” on maintaining reduced nitrogen (N) fertiliser use.
“This is achieved through nutrient management planning, following agronomic advice, to ensure optimal soil fertility through lime application, recycling animal manures, application of chemical phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), clover and grassland management.
“Optimising soil fertility will support lower fertiliser N usage, while also optimising conditions for grass and clover performance. Increasing the adoption of protected urea from the current 30% to over 80% is a challenge for the entire sector.”
Teagasc has also urged farmers to take steps to reduce methane emissions in their farming activities.\ Donal O' Leary
Emissions
The three primary greenhouse gases of concern for the agricultural sector are methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.
Methane emissions have decreased by 2.9% since 2023, while nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide have increased by 1.2% and 2.8%, respectively.
Agriculture contributed 38% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Compared to the 2018 baseline for the 2030 Climate Action Plan target, agriculture emissions have decreased by almost 1 MtCO2e (4.6%).
Dr Richards added that Teagasc research has identified new technologies to reduce emissions.
“Increased research across the Teagasc Climate Centre has identified feed additives and slurry amendments that can significantly reduce methane emissions on Irish farms.
“They are both on the point of being commercially available for use by farmers. But financial incentives, or subsidies, will be required to incentivise their use by farmers and business models are urgently needed to ensure timely adoption in the near future.”
Methane
Teagasc has also urged farmers to take steps to reduce methane emissions in their farming activities. This can be done by improving EBI and reducing the age at which animals are finished.
Between 2010 and 2022 the average finishing age of prime beef cattle reduced from 27.9 to 25.6 months, but this trend stalled in 2023 and 2024.
Challenging weather conditions, combined with a reduction in the number of young bulls being produced, increased average finishing age to 26.5 months in 2024.
Dr Paul Crosson, Teagasc beef enterprise leader, added: “Reducing finishing age for beef cattle is an essential element for Irish agriculture to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
“Key to this is increasing live weight gain of beef cattle, which also improves farm profitability. This must be a key focus for all in the beef industry.”
Read more
Dairy farmers must ‘cost control’ every year – Teagasc
Derogation loss could cost close to €300m
Teagasc has urged farmers to continue taking actions to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertiliser they use and to move towards finishing cattle at younger ages.
It comes after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions report on Friday, which showed that agricultural emissions dropped by 1.7% (346,000t CO2e) in 2024 and overall emissions dropped by 2%.
However, the EPA said that this reduction is primarily due to reduced cattle numbers. Meanwhile, there was a 10.6% increase in fertiliser nitrogen use.
Head of the Teagasc Climate Centre, Dr Karl Richards said there needs to be a focus on technologies that reduce reliance on nitrogen fertiliser, while also switching to lower emission nitrogen products.
“Compared to 2018, farmers have reduced nitrogen fertiliser use, but its usage increased in 2024, contributing to the increase in nitrous oxide emissions,” he said.
“Protected urea use has increased rapidly from zero in 2018, to almost one third of straight nitrogen fertiliser sales in 2024.”
Soil
Less lime was spread in both 2023 and 2024 than in previous years, which Teagasc described as “concerning”. In addition, the purchase of fertiliser P and K also declined in those years.
Dr Tom O’Dwyer, head of the Teagasc Signpost Programme said it is concerning that farmers “must keep the focus” on maintaining reduced nitrogen (N) fertiliser use.
“This is achieved through nutrient management planning, following agronomic advice, to ensure optimal soil fertility through lime application, recycling animal manures, application of chemical phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), clover and grassland management.
“Optimising soil fertility will support lower fertiliser N usage, while also optimising conditions for grass and clover performance. Increasing the adoption of protected urea from the current 30% to over 80% is a challenge for the entire sector.”
Teagasc has also urged farmers to take steps to reduce methane emissions in their farming activities.\ Donal O' Leary
Emissions
The three primary greenhouse gases of concern for the agricultural sector are methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.
Methane emissions have decreased by 2.9% since 2023, while nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide have increased by 1.2% and 2.8%, respectively.
Agriculture contributed 38% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Compared to the 2018 baseline for the 2030 Climate Action Plan target, agriculture emissions have decreased by almost 1 MtCO2e (4.6%).
Dr Richards added that Teagasc research has identified new technologies to reduce emissions.
“Increased research across the Teagasc Climate Centre has identified feed additives and slurry amendments that can significantly reduce methane emissions on Irish farms.
“They are both on the point of being commercially available for use by farmers. But financial incentives, or subsidies, will be required to incentivise their use by farmers and business models are urgently needed to ensure timely adoption in the near future.”
Methane
Teagasc has also urged farmers to take steps to reduce methane emissions in their farming activities. This can be done by improving EBI and reducing the age at which animals are finished.
Between 2010 and 2022 the average finishing age of prime beef cattle reduced from 27.9 to 25.6 months, but this trend stalled in 2023 and 2024.
Challenging weather conditions, combined with a reduction in the number of young bulls being produced, increased average finishing age to 26.5 months in 2024.
Dr Paul Crosson, Teagasc beef enterprise leader, added: “Reducing finishing age for beef cattle is an essential element for Irish agriculture to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
“Key to this is increasing live weight gain of beef cattle, which also improves farm profitability. This must be a key focus for all in the beef industry.”
Read more
Dairy farmers must ‘cost control’ every year – Teagasc
Derogation loss could cost close to €300m
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