PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The impact of the agricultural sector on the total anthropic greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions is estimated at 14% (Tubiello et al., 2015). Methane emitted by ruminal fermentation and manure decomposition constitutes the major part of these emissions (Hristov et al., 2013). On the other hand, ruminants, through their ruminal digestion process are able to convert forages in high quality products in terms of protein and fat content. The role ofruminants is thus essential, especially in countries with a high proportion of grasslands. In addition, several studies have demonstrated the potential role of grasslands to contribute to the mitigation of GHG emissions through carbon storage (Soussana et al., 2010). The preservation of these areas is thus crucial to alleviate GHG emissions. Other mitigation options include feeding strategies, improved farm management and genetic selection.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the LIFE-Dairyclim project were: 1) to contribute to the mitigation of climate impacts and to decrease GHG emissions in dairy farms, by optimising feeding strategies both in winter (barn feeding) and in summer (grazing and supplementary feeding). In a second step, to implement the selected strategies in pilot farms in Luxembourg, Denmark and Belgium; 2) to contribute to the conservation of grasslands by highlighting their importance for dairy farming and as a potential carbon sink; and 3) to disseminate the outcomes of the project by publications on the project website and writing of guidelines and handbook, including recommendations on agricultural good practices, to ensure transferability of the project results. Substantial reduction in climate impact and GHG emissions of the dairy sector were expected at the end of the project.
RESULTS
LIFE-Dairyclim delivered on all its main objectives, providing climate change mitigation strategies, highlighting the importance of grasslands conservation, and producing reports and other publications about its results. Through its achievements, the project demonstrated a significant impact on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the LULUCF (land use, land-use change, and forestry) sector. This will provide recommendations to the agriculture sector to comply with the EU Effort Sharing Regulation including the agricultural sector.
The project partners conducted two surveys on grasslands. These surveys allow to describe the grazing practices in the participating countries, showing high discrepancies between countries with low percentage of dairy farms practising grazing in Denmark (37%) while it is a key practice in Wallonia (96,5 %). The second survey showed a decrease of this practice in Luxembourg (from 84,4% in 2016 to 60,5% of grazing lactating cows in 2019). It demonstrated also that food labels and premium prices were an important incentive to keep grazing; On the other hand, farmers cited the difficult management of climatic issues as reason to stop grazing in 45,5% of answers in 2019 vs 22,9% in 2016. It is likely due to prolonged droughts observed in 2018. The summary report of the surveys was sent to policymakers to raise awareness toward grassland preservation. A second objective of the project was to describe best feeding strategies susceptible to decrease methane emissions. Therefore, the project consortium tested various innovative feeding and grazing strategies for dairy cows, in order to select the most efficient ones in terms of GHG emissions reduction with minimum or positive socio-economic impacts. Best practices were then demonstrated on pilot farms.
The project successfully defined best feeding strategies and precision grazing techniques, based on the results of farm trials. These were proved to have the potential of significantly reducing the GHG emissions of the dairy sector. Afterwards, the results were validated in pilot farms in Luxembourg, Denmark and Belgium. Regarding best feeding strategies, a decrease of 10-11% methane (CH4) emissions per kg of milk was achieved at use of concentrate rich in extruded linseed (Nutex) without negative zootechnical impact. Precision grazing techniques reduced feeding costs by 20% by reducing complementation with concentrates. Moreover, improved grazing methods allowed an increase in grassland carbon sequestration by 11%. Finally, biodiversity was also enhanced by more sustainable grassland management. Lifecycle assessment allowed to assess the global environmental impact of these practices.
Numerous dissemination and communication activities were organised, raising awareness of a range of stakeholders (e.g. farmers, businesses, scientists and policymakers). Among these activities, the consortium visited agricultural fairs, organised workshops and open-days, and produced reports aimed at farmers and the dairy sector.
The main climate-related benefit is the demonstration of a 10% reduction in GHG (mainly methane) emissions in dairy cow production. Another environmental benefit is the conservation of permanent grasslands, with resulting benefits including carbon sequestration and biodiversity protection, through the promotion of grazing practices for dairy cows. The project was relevant for policies related to accounting and mitigating GHG emissions in the LULUCF sector. It contributed to the implementation of policies adequately integrating and addressing the issue of grazing management and, to a lower extent, dairy cattle feeding. Project outcomes have high good demonstration value. They clearly show the validation of new feeding strategies and precision grazing techniques that could contribute to the mitigation of climate impact of the dairy sector. Neutral global environmental impact was linked to these new practices. Moreover, the project demonstrated high economic value. It showed that grazing allowed to decrease feeding costs so that the profit of dairy farms augmented with this practice. The industrial beneficiary, Dumoulin has developed a new brand called EUROCLIM based on the results of the project. Through its commercial activities, Dumoulin expected to increase the production of EUROCLIM products by 40% between 2018 and 2020.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).
