I am sure you will have read plenty about climate change and the impact livestock have. What ever your views it is important that we all play a role in optimising what we produce so that we can play our part.
To help support this a project funded by AFN Network + (more details below) called “Breeding better beef and sheep: co-designed breeding strategies to achieve net zero” is being undertaken and the Kimbolton Flock was selected as one of the twenty case study farms.
Led by the Royal Agricultural University at Cirencester the projects aim is to help UK beef and sheep farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making better breeding decisions. Currently, many farmers face unclear guidance on how to lower their emissions, slowing any progress considerably.
By reviewing global breeding methods and collecting data from 20 case study farms across the UK, the project aims to identify practical and affordable breeding strategies to cut emissions. To help validate and baseline these strategies each farm undertook a carbon footprint analysis to assess the impact of these breeding changes so any changes are evidence based.
The output from the project will be to develop solutions that practically support farmers in reaching net zero GHG emissions by 2050.
Other project collaborators include Russ Thomas (Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales), Ed Smith (The Texel Sheep Society), Non Williams (Mentera), Robert Gilchrist (Aberdeen Angus Society), Sarah Miller (Quality Meat Scotland), Shannon McLaughlin (Queen’s University Belfast), Sarah Morgan (Harper Adams University), Shailesh Shrestha (Scottish Rural College), Maud Helwegen (University of Bristol).
Commenting on the flocks involvement Paul said “in a changing world, it is vital that producers are aware of small changes that can easily be made that can have a big cumulative impact over time. I am pleased to be involved with this project to help support establishing best practice and I look forward to seeing the findings”
The AFN Network+ (UKRI Agri-food for Net Zero Network+) brings together more than 3,000 people from across UK agri-food to identify the key research gaps which need to be addressed if we are to reduce emissions in the sector and achieve the UK’s transition towards net zero by 2050.
The Network is a unique collaboration between academics, researchers, third sector organisations, policy makers, and agri-food industry professionals, including farmers and retailers.
Their findings will inform UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) research investments over the next decade.