The UK Dairy Carbon Network is working with over 50 UK dairy farms to implement and assess practical, farm-ready solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Led by AFBI and funded by DEFRA, the project is supported by a UK-wide consortium of leading research and industry partners.
With a growing focus on practical ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, methane suppressing feed products (MSFPs) are gaining attention within dairy systems. One option is calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), also referred to as nitrate. CAN is a dietary source of non-protein nitrogen and calcium, which has shown potential to reduce enteric methane emissions when incorporated into cattle rations.
The UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN) delivered its first on-farm event in Northern Ireland, highlighting practical, farm-level approaches to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while maintaining productivity and profitability.
By targeting slurry more precisely, correcting nutrient imbalances and improving nitrogen efficiency, a Shropshire dairy farm is set to cut fertiliser use from 240–250kg N/ha to approximately 170kg N/ha, while boosting grass growth and lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per litre of milk.
By reducing clinical mastitis by 26% during peak winter risk periods, Nixon’s Farms Ltd has improved udder health, reduced milk losses and increased efficiency. This demonstrates how better disease control can directly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per litre of milk.