Defra commissioned the UK Dairy Carbon Network because it offers a unique opportunity to understand how dairy farming can contribute more effectively to the nation’s environmental ambitions. The project is designed to measure the effects of implementing a range of greenhouse gas mitigation strategies on commercial farms, not in isolation but in combination, to see how they work together under real-world conditions.
Our goal is to build a clear picture of how much progress can realistically be made in reducing emissions across the dairy sector when a suite of innovations is applied at the same time. By taking this system-wide approach, we will be able to assess both the individual and collective benefits of different measures.
We are focusing on areas where we know practical changes can make a real difference. These include breeding for reduced methane using tools like AHDB’s EnviroCow genetic index; improving forage quality and optimising feed formulation to balance diets more efficiently; improving herd health to reduce yield losses; and enhancing nutrient management with more precise fertiliser use. Together, these strategies have the potential to lower emissions significantly while supporting productivity and animal performance.
We want to ensure that these mitigation measures are effective under UK conditions so that the project can provide robust evidence to help inform future policy and delivery mechanisms. It will also test new ways of monitoring emissions at the level of individual animals, giving us more accurate data to guide long-term solutions.
Through the UK Dairy Carbon Network, Defra is building the evidence base that farmers and policymakers need. Our commitment is to support the dairy industry in reducing emissions while maintaining profitability, ensuring that the sector can play its part in delivering a more sustainable, low-carbon future.
— Stefan Yerby, Defra Project Manager, UK Dairy Carbon Network
Staff profile:
Stef grew up in dairying on Guernsey and worked for a decade as a herdsman before moving into academia. He is completing a PhD in Veterinary Animal Production and Public Health alongside his role at Defra, with research focused on improving feed efficiency in cattle — a key interest within the project. Passionate about bridging farming, research and policy, he sees the project as a vital opportunity to tackle agriculture’s economic and environmental challenges. Outside of work, Stef is a CowSignals® Master and Chair of the Early Career Council of the British Society of Animal Science.