Factors affecting the adoption of the Teagasc marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) actions on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions on Irish dairy farms

Irish agriculture accounted for roughly one-third of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2019 but the European Union (EU) is striving towards the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In 2018 Teagasc published the Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC), which identifies mitigation measures that can reduce agricultural GHG emissions over the next decade. This study examines Irish dairy farmer perceptions of and attitudes to GHG mitigation, as well as their adoption of four selected mitigation measures from the Teagasc MACC (Dairy EBI, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, Change of Fertiliser Type and Low-Emission Slurry Spreading). The study also issues recommendations for policymakers and extension services that inform and encourage Irish dairy farmers towards their adoption. The study conducted a nationwide dairy farmer questionnaire in August 2020, with the participation of 482 Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) members across all regions of the Republic of Ireland. A workshop was then designed for April 2021, based on the data analysed from the survey. The key findings were presented to a representative cross-section of 15 dairy industry stakeholders and dairy farmers. They in turn recommended ways to increase the adoption of the four measures selected by this study. The key findings showed that most farmers had a positive perception of the four selected mitigation measures and had seemingly effectively adopted the practices associated with the measures. The main factors that limited their adoption were abstract farmer reservations about the measures, as opposed to the practices involved, and the extent of farmer knowledge and understanding of these four means of mitigation. The dairy farmers acknowledged agriculture’s role in reducing GHG emissions and indicated a willingness to adopt or plan to adopt mitigation measures. To encourage uptake by Irish dairy farmers, all dairy industry stakeholders must collaborate in delivering a unified message regarding their adoption. The study also recommends the development of demonstration farms and discussion groups to harness farmer experience in peer-to-peer learning and thereby boost their confidence in the mitigation measures.