Hendre Ifan Goch Project Introduction - Improving soil and livestock management to improve soil carbon capture, and reduce farm carbon footprint
Site: Hendre Ifan Goch, Glynogwr, Bridgend, CF35 6EN
Technical Officer: Elan Davies
Project Title: Improving soil and livestock management to improve soil carbon capture, and reduce farm carbon footprint
Introduction to project: The UK government has pledged to reduce national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050, with the Welsh Government proposing a reduction of 95% GHG emissions within the same period.
The main aim of this project is to first of all identify the current levels of soil organic matter, soil organic carbon and active soil carbon that’s present in the soils (on a T/ha basis) at Hendre Ifan Goch. Depending on initial results, the aim is then to see if it is possible to build soil carbon levels, by measurement and management.
During the project, a whole farm carbon audit will be completed for the demonstration site using a carbon footprint calculator. Ultimately, this will offer an absolute carbon balance figure for the farm. This exercise will also identify key areas where improvements could be made within farming practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - therefore lowering their carbon footprint, with the aim of becoming carbon neutral.
Project Objectives:
- Identify current levels of soil organic matter, soil organic carbon and active soil carbon at Hendre Ifan Goch.
- Aim to build soil carbon levels by various measurement and management methods.
- Complete a whole farm carbon audit to calculate an absolute carbon balance figure.
- Identify key areas within the farm where emissions can be reduced.
Key Performance Indicators Set:
- Increase soil organic matter and soil carbon levels by 1% annually based on the baseline measurement.
- Improve livestock production and efficiency, improving lamb growth rates by 50g/day during the 12-week period.
- Reduce the carbon footprint per kilo of lamb produced annually by 15% based on the baseline measurement.
Timeline and Milestones:
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Identify trial fields and collect soil samples |
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Scrutinise the soil sample results and make a strategic plan for each area |
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Visual assessment of soil and plant on each field |
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Carry out a carbon assessment on the farm, to identify carbon emissions |
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Analyse the performance of the fields in each area and the stock in each area and see if there is a correlation between performance and what the samples and visual assessments are telling us |
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Weekly grass measurements in peak grass growing season |
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