The results of a major UK research project on ‘Minimising Nitrous Oxide (MIN-NO) have been announced today showing emissions due to nitrogen fertiliser use on UK arable land, to be less than half the level previously estimated.
Roger Sylvester-Bradley, MIN-NO Project Lead and Head of Crop Performance, ADAS UK, said: “This research is the most ambitious to date in providing a comprehensive national assessment of nitrous oxide emissions in actual farming conditions, and has significantly improved scientific understanding in this important area”.
The MIN-NO research was conducted over a 5 year period with a consortium of 23 government, academic, farming and commercial partners with interests in the future sustainability of the food, feed and fuel supply chain.
The research concluded:
• A predicted decrease in emissions from UK agriculture of almost 10% than previously thought
• A greenhouse gas intensity per tonne of UK harvested wheat (which recognises the recent emissions reductions by fertiliser producers,) of 20% less than previously estimated.
• Reduced intensities for harvested rapeseed and sugar beet.
The project also confirmed that sourcing of nitrogen fertilisers from production facilities which are modified to abate nitrous oxide makes a substantial reduction in the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) footprint of the final marketed product whether it be chicken, cooking oil, whisky or a biofuel product. Choosing fertilisers with the lowest carbon footprint leads to a reduction in the GHG footprint. For example, bread can be reduced by 7%, bioethanol from wheat by 15% and biodiesel from oilseed rape by 16%.
Welcoming the findings, AIC’s Chief Executive David Caffall said: “It is pleasing to see massive investment by the supply industry is also having potential added value in the market place.”
However, prospects for mitigating nitrous oxide associated with arable cropping are less than was thought previously. Farmers already using abated nitrogen fertilisers and following good practice can do little more than to continue to focus on fine-tuning their overall nutrient management for optimum efficiency.
The potential for adding value from investment in the research was highlighted by Richard Laverick, Chief Technical Officer for AHDB.
”The project has provided our industry with a vital and far more accurate understanding of the behaviour of nitrous oxide emissions in arable agriculture. It will help inform all involved in producing for the food, feed and biofuel supply chains. The findings are significant and will make a major difference to the UK’s ability to meet sustainability criteria for a range of supply chains.”
The MIN-NO findings are especially pertinent to the biofuel industry. Clare Wenner, the Head of Renewable Transport at the Renewable Energy Association said, ”This extensive research shows that the greenhouse gas reductions from using UK-grown feed wheat and oil seed rape to produce renewable fuel are particularly relevant. The production of bioethanol and biodiesel from these crops also yields a valuable high protein animal feed which adds to the overall environmental benefits of UK renewable fuels.”
Ultimately MIN-NO’s work is good news and means that the proportion of the UK’s emissions attributed to agricultural production will decrease relative to other sectors of the economy.
The findings will now be used by consortium members to inform both governments and industry of the progress being made towards meeting the UK’s GHG reduction targets.
