Written by: Stacy Griffiths
Climate change and its link to farming is becoming an increasingly popular subject, whether it be around the topic of dairy cows producing methane or simply the emissions released from transportation.
As the farming world is changing, the phrase “Carbon Footprint” is being thrown around more frequently, but what exactly does it mean, and why is it relevant?
A carbon footprint by dictionary definition is “the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of particular individuals, organisations or community.”, it is calculated through a lifestyle assessment where all variables both positive and negative are looked at. In future farming, it is expected that many farm assurance schemes will begin looking at this. So, what can farmers start doing now that will benefit them in future years when companies begin looking at becoming carbon neutral?
Tip 1: Animal Feed
Look into using different supplements and livestock feeds. At present, there is ongoing research into adding more fats/oils into animal feed to try and lower the volume of gases being released into the atmosphere.
Tip 2: Use of manures
Wherever possible you should try to incorporate livestock manures directly into the soil. When doing this the loss of ammoniacal nitrogen into the atmosphere is greatly reduced; this is a type of carbon sequestration. This benefits not only the environment, but also the farmer. More nitrogen will be utilised and less will be lost to the atmosphere, which subsequently will save you money on buying more artificial nitrogen fertilisers.
Tip 3: Looking into renewable
There are many options when looking into sustainable energy on your farm. Biogas, wind turbines and solar panels are all viable options, but each will have different benefits and drawbacks. Different farms will also suit different options, so take your time to research. Renewable energy can be a large nvestment, but you can be sure if you invest in the right one, in time it will greatly benefit your business.
Tip 4: Plants
Many farms are already in schemes that aim to look after or enhance the environment, however there are more ways of reducing your farm’s carbon footprint. There are many ongoing trials looking into the use of different grass types with different rooting lengths, and how they affect nitrogen levels. Herbal Leys, as an example, will improve overall soil quality because of the various rooting lengths. They are less dependant on artificial inputs as they have a greater uptake from deeper in the soil, and often include nitrogen fixing legumes. The roots of legumes and other plants are able to lock in greater amounts of nitrogen which will save you money as the need for artificial fertilisers and manures is greatly decreased. On your farm you can start by varying your grass seed types and increasing the total volume. This type of sequestration can also be done with hedges and trees.
Tip 5: Give organic a go
Much of the pollution created through farming comes from the overuse of artificial fertilisers and pesticides. From production to spreading, these products create huge amounts of greenhouse gases. Using organic fertiliser will instantly lower your carbon footprint and will not affect yields like many people believe. In fact, the use of just manures can boost soil quality and even improve yields if used correctly, again saving farmers a small fortune.
Every little change across your farm is going to make a big impact. All these little changes you are making now, are going to save you a lot of larger modifications in future when farming is likely to be put right under the spotlight for carbon footprints.
