Academic Institutions

An evidence-based model for incorporating farm greenhouse gas emission estimates into education and research

Given the current political focus on greenhouse gas emissions in the farming sector, agricultural researchers need a way to incorporate farm-level greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into research studies. Unfortunately, many available carbon footprint tools are simplified for industry users and do not provide transparent information about their methodologies. Agrecalc offers a solution, in the form of an evidence-based tool with roots in both research and industry.

We understand the tight timelines and limited resources which govern research projects and seek to provide farm-level GHG estimations with as little friction as possible. Our work with research institutions enables greenhouse gas emission modelling to be added to research projects without the time and effort required to build a model from scratch.

The academic and research community often needs a customised solution. Please do not hesitate to contact our team to see what is possible.

scientist holding a glass tube with a sprouting plant in it

Precise calculations for better data interpretation

Agrecalc is a carbon emission model developed by SRUC researchers and SAC consultants, benefiting from both specialised industry information and state-of-the-art research. As part of a RESAS-funded ongoing research project, our tool is constantly updated to reflect the most recent research.

Our model can also be used as an educational tool for students at all levels of education for learning about major sources of agricultural GHG emissions and mitigation options. Seminars and assignments using the Agrecalc model have been introduced across undergraduate and postgraduate courses at SRUC, helping students understand farm-level data and agricultural systems modelling.

A collaborative tool at heart

Agrecalc is proud to support research projects and scientific studies that aim to better understand the global challenges facing the agricultural industry and supply chain – from food security, biodiversity, changing agricultural practices and resilience and adaption to climate change.

Our research team works locally and internationally with academics, industry, and policy makers. Our students have used Agrecalc to model farm-level mitigation scenarios both locally and internationally and our research team currently support MSc and PhD student projects at SRUC, The University of Edinburgh, The University of Glasgow, The University of Cranfield, and The University of Teramo on diverse topics related to climate change and agriculture.

carbon audit (scotland) depiction in an app that helps manage emissions in suckler beef herd

Supporting research and policy development

We actively seek participation in eligible research funding calls across the UK and Europe. Agrecalc has been, and is currently being utilised in multiple academic research projects that aim to quantify the impact of farm mitigations on overall farm and enterprise level carbon footprint, for example: RESAS (Rural Environment Science and Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government).

Agrecalc is actively involved in support policy-orientated research, funded by Scottish Government, with SRUC, and we are proud to lead a work package on “Improving the agriculture GHG footprinting tool”. We also support SRUC and other SEFARI institutes in key work packages across multiple RESEAS funded projects on ammonia, soil and greenhouse gas emission research.

Net Zero Carbon & UK Livestock Report 2022

A CIEL commissioned report from an independent consortium of experts from Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), and Rothamsted Research, that consider various mitigation scenarios on real-life dairy, beef, sheep, pig, and poultry farms across the UK, in which Agrecalc was used a modelling tool to investigate the impact of different mitigation options on farm carbon footprint.

ARCZero

Agrecalc actively supports empowering farmers in their transitional pathway to net zero, and we are proud to be actively involved in providing baseline farm carbon footprints and scenario modelling for farmers in the ARCZero project. Our role is to provide accurate, wholefarm carbon footprint baselines, identify key areas of improvement and assess which behaviours will make most impact on farm emissions in order to accelerate the transition to low carbon farm for the case study farmers in the study.

pillars of science

Open to collaboration on all levels

We are excited to hear from any researchers or academic organisations who might be interested in using our model of farm-level GHG emissions to enhance their work. If you plan on publishing research with reference to Agrecalc, contact our team to discuss your options.

So far, we’ve collaborated with many institutions, and on many projects. Read how we’ve helped Devenish Nutrition and Queen’s University Belfast in their study correlating pig health and GHG emissions.

We are also always interested in input and research which might help us improve and expand our model. If you would like to discuss potential collaboration or licenses for a specific project, please use the Contact us page to get in touch.

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