The big picture: using wildflower strips for pest control
They may be beautiful, but these strips prove pretty deadly for every farmer's mortal enemy: aphids
News
Significant potential to reduce carbon footprint of beef cattle
Study finds that, depending on the mitigation intervention, climate change impacts of UK grass-based beef cattle could be reduced by up to 26%
3 February 2025
Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 26% are possible within current grass-fed beef farming simply by making changes to existing management practices, according to a new study. Several different interventions were modelled: adopting nitrification inhibitors could reduce the carbon footprint of beef production by 7.5%, while the introduction of nitrogen-fixing leguminous white clover could lead to a 12% reduction. The most effective intervention was anaerobic digestion of cattle manure, which could reduce emissions by as much as 26%.
The study also modelled a reduction of livestock density by 50%. This scenario showed the greatest climate change environmental impact, but in a negative direction. The carbon footprint per weight gain under the livestock reduction scenario was increased by 24.5%, compared with the baseline. This is because the emissions related to the soil remained the same, while the production was reduced.
"We believe there is significant potential to reduce the carbon footprint of beef farming simply by adopting some or all of these interventions"
In the UK, agriculture is responsible for around 10% of national greenhouse gas emissions, with livestock production accounting for roughly 56% of that total. The study focused on beef cattle, which alone represent 30-40% of livestock emissions.
“We believe there is significant potential to reduce the carbon footprint of beef farming simply by adopting some or all of these interventions,” said Rothamsted’s Asma Jebari who led the study. “Our findings also underscore the importance of considering emissions beyond the farmgate, and reporting on soil organic carbon when evaluating the environmental impact of farming practices.”
While these measures offer progress on climate change mitigation, researchers stress the need for further analysis and field trials to assess their long-term feasibility and effectiveness.
The study was undertaken using data from Rothamsted’s North Wyke Farm Platform in Devon, which is a multi-instrumented and measured farmlet with 30 head of cattle.
Publication
Contacts
ABOUT ROTHAMSTED RESEARCH
Rothamsted Research is the longest-running agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking
discoveries in areas as diverse as crop management, statistical interpretation and soil health. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern
agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative approach to developing innovative farm practice.
Through independent research, we make significant contributions to improving agri-food systems in the UK and internationally, with
economic impact estimated to exceed £3 bn in annual contribution to the UK economy. Our strength lies in our systems approach, which combines strategic research,
interdisciplinary teams and multiple partnerships.
Rothamsted is home to three unique National Bioscience Research Infrastructures which are open to researchers from all over the world:
The Long-Term Experiments,
Rothamsted Insect Survey and the
North Wyke Farm Platform.
We are strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with additional support from other national and
international funding streams, and from industry. We are also supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT).
ABOUT BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid
from the UK government.
BBSRC invests to push back the frontiers of biology and deliver a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. Through our investments, we build and support a vibrant,
dynamic and inclusive community which delivers ground-breaking discoveries and develops bio-based solutions that contribute to tackling global challenges,
such as sustainable food production, climate change, and healthy ageing.
As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we not only play a pivotal role in fostering connections that enable the UK’s world-class research and innovation system
to flourish – we also have a responsibility to enable the creation of a research culture that is diverse, resilient, and engaged.
BBSRC proudly forges interdisciplinary collaborations where excellent bioscience has a fundamental role. We pioneer approaches that enhance the equality, diversity,
and inclusion of talent by investing in people, infrastructure, technologies, and partnerships on a global scale.
ABOUT LAT
The Lawes Agricultural Trust, established in 1889 by Sir John Bennet Lawes, supports Rothamsted Research’s national and international agricultural science through the provision of land, facilities and funding. LAT, a charitable trust, owns the estates at Harpenden and Broom's Barn, including many of the buildings used by Rothamsted Research. LAT provides an annual research grant to the Director, accommodation for nearly 200 people, and support for fellowships for young scientists from developing countries. LAT also makes capital grants to help modernise facilities at Rothamsted, or invests in new buildings.