A new study investigating methane emissions and environmental impact of UK upland sheep living off a natural forage diet is being carried out in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The Forage for CH4nge project – funded by Innovate UK – is led by local farmer Adrian Thornton-Berry in collaboration with Agri-Tech Centre, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the National Sheep Association, and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
It will explore how the amount of methane produced by native Swaledale sheep compares to that of half-bred sheep when both types graze on the upland landscape forage.
The aim of the project is to support upland farmers and help 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.
The study secured funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and UKRI as part of the Research Starter Programme.
A native Swaledale flock alongside Texel crossbreeds.
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.
Adrian Thornton-Berry, Farmer, said: “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 practices 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.”
Ellie Raynor, Ecologist at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, said: “To meet the challenges of sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation, we must work with industry specialists to explore innovative solutions. This project is an excellent example of collaborating with like-minded passionate individuals, all wanting to come together to tackle challenges in the UK upland farming sector.”
Nicola Noble, NSA Project Manager, comments: “We are all aware of the challenges we face to achieve net zero targets set by the government. Projects like this help us to understand emissions from different sheep breeds but also help emphasise the need to stop assessing farm business on a single metric. Grazing sheep in the hills and uplands not only produce nutritious food and a sustainable fibre, but deliver wider benefits socially, economically and environmentally that need to be recognised by consumers and policymakers.”
Nicola Lambe, a researcher at SRUC, said: “This collaborative project is a great opportunity to expand our research in the measurement of methane emissions from sheep, testing relevant sheep breeds that are grazing different pasture types typically found in UK upland sheep systems. This helps to build a comprehensive picture of how the UK sheep industry can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Holly Jones, Network Coordinator and Funding Strategist, Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “As a charity, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, prides itself in supporting projects to advance and encourage agricultural research for the benefit of the protection of the environment while championing the role of farmers as providers of high-quality produce. This project, delivered through our Farmer Scientist Network initiative, will be enlightening for the UK farming industry in further understanding our pathway towards net zero whilst putting a spotlight on the high value of upland heritage breeds. We are delighted to be to working collaboratively with our allied partners on this project.”
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ more than 60 post-doctoral scientists and other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from government and private bodies.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk