BIOL20050 - Marginal Abatement Cost Curve for agriculture (MACC)

what model gathered the total activity data associated with Irish agriculture?

the Teagasc FAPRI-ireland economic model

what is the purpose of MACC?

it identifies the most cost-effective pathway to reduce GHG emissions and enhance carbon sequestration

what is the main mitigation measure of MACC?

to focus on GHG reductions in agriculture, land use and forestry

list 3 main goals of MACC

1. 25% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030

2. create scenarios of emissions with low animal numbers and high animal numbers

3. adoption of their plans

what is "abatement potential"

Abatement potential refers to the capacity or ability to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through various measures, technologies, or actions. It is typically expressed as the amount of emissions that can be avoided or reduced over a certain time frame, often measured in metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e).

what is the plan for Ammonia MACC?

total acheivable reduction is 22.5 t NH3

- cost will vary from 41-78M per annum depending on land spreading measures

give 2 jobs of protected urea

1. replace urea with protected urea to reduce ammonia

2. replace CAN with protected urea to reduce GHGs

List 4 benefits of an extended grazing season

1. lower quantity of slurry stored

2. lower ruminanr digestion emissions/ higher digestibility diet

3. lower energy emissions

4. improved liveweight performance (faster finishing/ better yeild)

list 4 measures the EBI could take to reduce GHG emissions

1. improve fertility to have increased pregnancy rates and fewer replacements

2. earlier compact calving- greater proportions of grazed grass diet

3. higher milk solids yield per unit of grazed grass

4. improved health reduces deaths and diseases - fewer replacements

3 ways the lifecycle of calves can be altered to reduce GHG emissions

1. reduced age at slaughter

2. reduced age at first calving (24 months)

3.

what is the current national average calving rate?

0.87 calves/cow/year

- we want 1 calf/cow/year