Stock numbers can remain unchanged on Irish farms subject to changes in how nitrogen is used on farms, Dr David Wall of Teagasc said this week.

He was responding to a farmer at the Teagasc Lowland Sheep Conference in Killarney who asked if the answer to reducing farming’s carbon footprint was better nitrogen efficiency rather than reduced stocking rates.

“About 60% of greenhouse gases come from the animal side and the remainder come from nitrogen in slurry and fertiliser. If we maintain our stock numbers, we have to tackle the other 40% in some shape or form,” said Wall.

“It can be done but it means we have to challenge the fertiliser and slurry side of the house, bring in clover, use low-emission slurry spreading and protected urea and we can get most of the way there.”