Opinion: special treatment for methane is good news for dairy

Dairy farmers and industry will welcome news that biogenic methane (methane produced from cows) is to be treated separately from other greenhouse gases when it comes to national emissions reduction targets.

The programme states that the new government will review the effects of the nitrates derogation on water quality. However, this was due to happen anyway as part of regular reviews of the derogation. Protected urea and low emission slurry spreading will be promoted and a national liming programme will commence to encourage greater use of lime, to improve nitrogen efficiency.

There is no direct mention of ammonia emissions in the programme

One of the more determined lines in the programme states that the new government will “deliver an incremental and ambitious reduction in the use of inorganic nitrogen fertiliser through to 2030.”

This signifies support for the EU’s new Farm to Fork Strategy, which targets a 20% reduction in fertiliser use by 2030.

There is no direct mention of ammonia emissions in the programme.

It is not yet clear if specialist dairy farmers operating within a nitrates derogation will be eligible to enter the proposed new REPS scheme.

One of the more quirky aspects of the new programme is the commitment to undertake research into the potential for dual purpose dairy breeds and calf-at-foot dairy systems in Ireland.

A calf at foot system is where calves (bulls and heifers) stay with the milking herd for up to nine months.