The new AgNav tillage carbon calculator for tillage can give Irish grain a premium on the international market, according to Teagasc.

Teagasc launched the calculator at the Crops and Technology event at Oakpark, Co Carlow, which was held partnership with the Irish Farmers Journal.

The calculator will incorporate the life cycle assessment (LCA) for Irish grain and using a farm’s production information and yields, it can measure the farm’s carbon footprint.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Teagasc head of environment, crops and land use programme John Spink said the technology will have the potential to push on the tillage sector into the future.

“That’s potentially huge for Irish grain, because it demonstrates a very low carbon footprint for Irish grain compared to international [farms],” he said.

“It provides evidence and, hopefully, eventually, that will result in there being a preference for Irish grain and a premium for Irish grain.”

‘Ready to go’

Previous LCAs relied on farming models that are not reflective of Irish conditions and now Teagasc, with financial assistance from Tirlán, has built a custom tillage LCA model of Irish grain production systems in 2024 according to international standards.

Spink added that Irish grain is ready to get an investment boost to progress on a global scale.

“We need to differentiate Irish grain and there’s been a lot of work going on for the last two to three years.

"We’re trying to add value in the same way that was done with dairy decades ago, rather than just selling liquid milk to produce products that can be exported,” he added.

“We’ve shown that it can be done, it’s been done on a pilot scale, so really now it needs someone to invest in the facilities. We’re ready to go.”