From Research to Practice on NI Dairy Farms
The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland has launched its third EU Sustainable Dairy Fact Book in conjunction with the EU and the European Milk Forum (EMF).
Local sustainability expertise can help shape future agricultural policy in Northern Ireland and ensure the sector continues to contribute towards Northern Ireland’s transition to net zero.
The publication for 2020 ‘From Research to Practice on Northern Ireland Dairy Farms’ looks at three AFBI and CAFRE research projects carried out at scale in Northern Ireland, namely young stock and heifer rearing, soil and catchment modelling, and efficient concentrate use, and profiles three local dairy farms which are putting into practice the learning from the research.
The fact book also includes a foreword from DAERA Minister Edwin Poots and insight from Professor & Air Quality Specialist Frank Mitloehner from University of California, Davis on how various greenhouse gases are measured and the role of dairy herds in recycling carbon from the atmosphere through the biogenic carbon cycle.
The final chapter of the fact book explores the important part good nutrition plays in a sustainable diet, highlighting Optimeal®, a modelling tool which looks at the impact of food choices, not only on the environment, but also on nutrition and food prices.
Download the Fact Book here
