Research holds key to reducing cattle greenhouse gas emissions

VISITORS to the Teagasc research facility in north Cork might be forgiven for thinking they had stumbled onto the set of a low budget B-movie — maybe called something like Moooon Landing: Bovines With Backpacks.

This Teagasc project may look a bit odd to the passer-by, but it could yet prove invaluable in helping Ireland deliver on its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a target of 20% below 1990 levels by the year 2020.

Teagasc’s findings suggest that cattle grazing on low maturity grass produce less methane. The study could help Ireland’s drive for increased milk production, while also helping to decrease GHG emissions, two major challenges for the Irish dairy industry.