The project
The Forage for CH4nge project aims to improve sustainability and move towards net zero farming by investigating emissions and forage utilisation in native Swaledale sheep compared to cross-bred sheep on the upland landscape forage, something that has never been studied before.
Funded by Innovate UK, it will study the methane emissions in the sheep by placing them individually in a portable accumulation chamber (PAC).
The results will allow the researchers to measure how the amount of methane produced by native Swaledale sheep compares to that of the half-bred Texel cross sheep when both types graze on the upland landscape forage.
The project, based in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is led by local farmer Adrian Thornton-Berry in collaboration with the UK Agri-Tech Centre, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), the Scottish Rural College, the National Sheep Association, and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
The study secured funding from the Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and UKRI as part of the Research Starter Programme.
Aims and objectives
Forage for CH4nge aims to define mitigation strategies for upland sheep farmers that increase efficiency and reduce methane emissions. Optimising productivity of native Swaledale sheep, compared to the ‘improved’ crossbreeds, on local upland landscape and vegetation they are adapted to, could lead to less carbon lost as methane.
A native Swaledale flock alongside Texel crossbreeds.
The outcomes from this project will support upland farmers to improve productivity and financial resilience. By utilising breeds that are efficient in the local landscape, and exploiting the most appropriate grazing resources, there is opportunity to reduce input costs and increase profitability, providing potential to access premium meat markets.
This financial benefit will encourage upland farmers in England to farm the most appropriate sheep breeds in the most suitable habitats, increasing the positive impact on sustainability.
The study
The Forage for CH4nge project seeks to help demonstrate and communicate the environmental impacts of upland farming.
The main elements of the study are:
- Vegetation surveys will be undertaken on three forage types (improved grassland, species-rich grassland, and moorland) to determine what plant life is making up the sheep’s diet when grazing these fields.
- Methane emission testing will take place on the farm by using innovative Portable Accumulation Chamber (PAC) technology to rapidly measure methane emissions from individual sheep. Collaborative international research has provided standardised, well-tested protocols for data collection and analyses using this system. The emissions from native, upland breeds/systems, from grazing different pasture types will be addressed in this project. This has not been explored before.
Supporting net zero
Agriculture contributes 12% of the UK’s GHG emissions and 50% of this is from livestock. Methane is the most potent GHG, therefore a key priority for the sector to focus mitigations.
This project aims to help define mitigation strategies for upland sheep farmers that increase efficiency and reduce methane emissions.
The development of a method for comparing sheep breeds grazing in various natural habitats will provide a framework to measure carbon footprint and help define sustainable and resilient future farm systems.
Katrina Hayter, Challenge Director of Transforming Food Production and Farming Innovation Programme at Innovate UK, said: “You only need look at the sheer breadth of projects that have received funding to see there are so many opportunities for innovation across the food sector, with knowledge-sharing and collaboration at its core. We are keen to ensure farmers and growers remain at the heart of projects.”
Behind the project: Lead partner and farmer Adrian Thornton-Berry
Home Farm Swinithwaite, located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, consist of 700 acres of grass hill farm, all south side of mid-Wensleydale valley.
The land rises from 400ft above sea level to 1,850ft at the highest point. There is a range of habitat types:
- Herb rich pastures with no fertiliser or FYM for last 30 years.
- Improved grassland with modern rye grass leys in the meadows.
- Other areas of unimproved permanent pasture, plus regenerating dry heath on the high marginal land.
The farm has both half-bred Texel cross ewes and native Swaledale sheep in the flock. We want to see which breed suits our habitats best in terms of GHG emissions.
“I wanted this project to happen as I believe without our traditional breeds our precious natural habitats will deteriorate with larger more profitable breeds which modern farming practises favour. If we can show these native breeds are better for the habitat and climate change then it would support these native sheep in a more sustainable system.” – Adrian Thornton-Berry