WP3: Research hubs – assessing mitigation potential of innovations in grassland management

Research Question: How much GHG mitigation could be achieved under different grassland strategies? 

This research investigates the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of various grassland management strategies. It focuses on three main areas: diverse pasture compositions, upland grazing strategies, and grazing livestock in arable systems. The project will assess the effects of different pasture compositions on soil-plant emissions and animal emissions. This includes evaluating enteric methane emissions, nitrogen outputs, growth rates, and feed efficiency in both grazing and silage-based livestock production systems. Additionally, the project will collect and analyze cattle manure to assess GHG emissions from slurry applications.

In upland grazing strategies, the research will examine the impacts of different grazing practices on soil health, GHG mitigation, productivity, and efficiency in lamb production. This involves monitoring a flock of 600 hill sheep using locational recording and tracking technologies to understand their grazing behavior and resource use. The study will measure direct emissions from animals and conduct soil analysis to estimate carbon storage, evaluate productivity, welfare and forage quality.

For grazing livestock in arable systems, the project will assess the effects of grazing strategies on soil health, N2O emissions, carbon stocks, sward/cover biodiversity, and nitrogen supply. This includes conducting replicated trials with grazing sheep on 1-3 year leys in arable rotation with cover crops. The research will measure N2O emissions during and after the grazing season and assess soil carbon fractions. Farm-based experiments will also evaluate livestock grazing days, growth rates, crop and weed cover, and impacts on subsequent crops.