Animal feed will play a key role in helping the Irish agricultural sector to reduce its emissions, according to ‘Ag Climatise’, the national climate and air roadmap for the agriculture sector.
The roadmap, which was launched earlier today (Wednesday, December 9), outlined that crude protein, feed additives and livestock rations will all factor in to the overall effort.
First looking at crude protein levels, one stated action is to “reduce the crude protein content of livestock feeding stuffs to minimise ammonia loss”.
Under this action, a number of targets have been specified, firstly to reduce the average levels of crude protein in pig feeds to 16%.
In addition, where practical, feed manufacturers and co-operatives should increase the content of native grains and proteins in compound rations. Where feasible, these rations should be labelled accordingly, the roadmap says.
Moving to additives, another stated action is to “continue to invest in novel feed additives to reduce biogenic methane”.
Under this, it is noted that the Department of Agriculture is “to support research into diet quality and use of novel feed additives in pasture-based production systems to reduce methane emissions”.
Industry, along with the research community, needs to commercialise the use of feed additives, while taking full account of its safety profile at all times.
Finally, on the feed ration side, an action has been set out to “increase the proportion of home grown protein in livestock rations”.
Stating that the livestock sector in Ireland “is over-reliant on imported feed”, the roadmap says: “The sector must take steps to increase the proportion of native grains and legumes in livestock rations.
“This will further strengthen the sustainability credentials of the Irish agri-food sector, creating a demand stimulus and contributing to the circularity of the agri-food sector.”