Research on the Tirlán grain pool shows the carbon footprint is one of lowest in the world

New research from Teagasc on the Tirlán grain pool shows that Irish grain has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. The research, unveiled at the Tirlán Quality Grain Awards this week, is the first of its kind using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology specifically developed for Irish grain on a wide range of commercially grown Irish cereals. Accounting for straw incorporation, the study showed the net carbon footprint could be close to net zero.

Tirlán, in conjunction with Teagasc, invested in developing a new LCA model that was used to complete Ireland's first carbon footprint analysis of commercially grown Irish cereals. Teagasc carried out the research and data collection for individual growers, with the assistance of the Tirlán agronomy team, using information from 48 Tirlán grain suppliers, covering 11,500ha of land in what was an above average year for yields in 2022.

The study found the carbon footprint of Irish grain is very low compared to grains produced in other grain producing regions in Europe and North America.

The data showed the gross carbon footprint of Tirlán oats was low at 207 kg CO₂ equivalent/t product, or 232 kg CO₂ equivalent/t product, when adjusted to allow for drying.

John Spink, Teagasc Head of Crops Environment and Land Use Program, stated, "The recently developed Tillage LCA has been used to assess the carbon footprint of Oats from Tirlán suppliers. The gross carbon footprint was 207 kg CO₂/t, or 232 kg CO₂/t including drying, which is low by international standards. In warmer countries like Italy and Spain, the figure would be closer to 1000 kg CO₂/t.

"When the carbon sequestered by straw incorporation was included in the calculations the figure dropped dramatically, giving an average net carbon footprint of 38 kg CO₂/t, with a number of the crops at or below net zero.

"Irish growers generally have a very low carbon footprint and the results of this study support it. The most influential factors impacting the carbon footprint of the grain pool are good crop nutrition and high yields."

Straw incorporation improves carbon sequestration and has become more popular with the support of the Department of Agriculture's National Straw Incorporation Measure.

John Kealy, Tirlán Head of Grains, said, "The results for Irish grain shown in the Life Cycle Analysis are a strong endorsement of the sector's sustainability credentials and highlight the important role of Irish grains within the agricultural sector and along the value chain.

"The winner of the Sustainability Award in the Tirlán Quality Grain Awards, Mark Sheridan from Navan, Co. Meath, had three crops in the Top Five of the lowest carbon footprint results from the study. He adopted widespread use of straw incorporation and his Winter Oats were carbon neutral. It was an exceptional performance amid some really high standards and a sign of the quality of our Irish grain."