This week we talk to Luis Alejandro Vergara, a PhD researcher with University College Dublin who is currently based on Shinagh Farm, carrying out life cycle assessment as part of the project. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method for calculating the environmental impact of a product or service.

Grass bio-refining is one of the pillars of our project to create a carbon neutral dairy farm. Through biorefining, perennial ryegrass is fractionated into a variety of new products in a process which improves the protein efficiency, value and sustainability of our grasslands. In 2019, Biorefinery Glas ran a trial with Carbery, James Gaffey of Grassa! and Barryroe Co-op in West Cork. The video of this trial gives some good detail on what is involved with biorefining and how it can contribute to sustainable dairy farming.

Farm Zero C update: This week, the multi species swards planted at Shinagh Farm had progressed enough to allow the cows in to have their first taste. No complaints from the diners, all plates were cleared, as you can see below! Multispecies swards have the potential to enhance biodiversity on the farm and significantly reduce nitrogen inputs so it will be very interesting to see how this work area evolves. In the meantime, member of the project team Cian White, PhD researcher from Trinity College Dublin is currently on site mapping the biodiversity of Shinagh Farm. PhD researcher at University College Dublin Luis Alejandro Vergara arrives next week to perform a dynamic life cycle assessment at Shinagh. We’ll have more detail from both on their activities next week.

SFI has created a video about the Farm Zero C project as part of it’s feature on the bioeconomy. It includes an interview with Prof Kevin O’Connor.

Read more at the page below:

Bioeconomy (sfi.ie)

Trevor Vaugh got up close and personal with our team at Farm Zero C where he learnt all about how we are trying to change farming to have a positive environmental impact.