Archive
- April 2012 (1)
- March 2012 (3)
- January 2012 (2)
- December 2011 (1)
- November 2011 (1)
- October 2011 (3)
- September 2011 (3)
- August 2011 (3)
- June 2011 (1)
- March 2011 (9)
Popular Topics
Why a blog?
The Farming Futures blog is for farmers, land managers and their advisers to discuss and debate the issue of climate change and sustainability in agriculture.
We’re interested in how you think we can produce more food for a growing population in the context of Government targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, hotter, drier summers, higher energy and input prices, and the increased consumer interest in 'low carbon' food.
This is your place to take part in the debate. Find out why we think a blog is important by clicking here.
Blogs marked with our weak signals logo explore ideas, trends, technologies or behaviour changes that are as yet unrecognised by the mainstream farming industry. They might have a big impact on future farm practices or they might disappear. They help us to challenge assumptions about the future, navigate risk and seize new opportunities. If you spot a weak signal, get in touch and we'll get it on the site.
Want to contribute? Contact Farming Futures at farmingfutures@niab.com or phone 01223 342313.
UK Farming Map
Find Events, Factsheets and Case Studies specific to your region - take a look on our Google Map
Our audioboos
Time for a laugh? Curbing nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture
Nitrous oxide (N2O), commonly known as laughing gas, is a greenhouse gas about 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Predominantly produced from the soil following the application of nitrogen fertilisers, manure and deposits from grazing livestock, it accounts for a huge 53% of UK agriculture’s greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint.
Agriculture, like every other commercial sector, has to seriously look at ways of reducing its environmental footprint. For farming, N2O presents a particularly big challenge because it is usually overlooked in the climate debate and has previously received little attention. For this reason, ADAS and North Wyke Research are leading a four-year project to explore the potential of Nitrification Inhibitors in curbing UK agricultures’ GHG emissions.
Nitrification Inhibitors are chemicals that slow the conversion of ammonium to nitrate, so could be a useful tool in reducing the release of N2O following the application of fertiliser and manure to fields. The study will also look at the role of improved nutrient management and the timing of application of fertilisers and manures to land on N2O emissions. Commissioned by Defra, the project is expected to be completed by 2014, and represents the first large-scale field studies using Nitrification Inhibitors to be undertaken in the UK. Defra hope to use the results to further develop effective GHG reduction strategies for farming.
Initial results from international studies are promising. Similar research conducted in New Zealand concluded that there was potential to reduce N2O production by as much as 90%. New Zealand shares a number of similarities with the UK in terms of accepted agricultural practices, but the climate and soils are markedly different, so this study is crucial to explore the use of nitrification inhibitors in the UK. Whilst we must always manage expectations, the next few years are an exciting prospect. Unlocking the potential of nitrification inhibitors could soon be something worth laughing about...
Prof. Brian Chambers is Head of Science in ADAS’ Environment Group - for further information please contact Brian.Chambers@adas.co.uk.
Post new comment