In December 2020, Teagasc researchers presented Sectoral Roadmaps 2027 that offered its outlook for the next seven years by agricultural sub-sector: dairy, beef, sheep, pigs, tillage (arable crops), forestry, horticulture and environment.¹“Teagasc Sectoral Roadmaps 2027,” Teagasc. December 9, 2020. Archived December 9, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ABqTN

The 2027 Sectoral Road Map: Dairy projected an increase in dairy cow numbers from 1,465,000 in 2019 to 1,650,000 in 2027, with a rise in milk output from 7.99 billion litres to 9.49 billion litres. The document stated that, “The increased size of the national dairy herd, even allowing for the projected increase in stocking rate, will increase the land requirement for Irish dairying.”²“2027 Sectoral Road Map: Dairy,” Teagasc, December 9, 2020. Archived November 25, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/4r21E 

The dairy roadmap also acknowledged: “The requirement to improve sustainability will require a reduction in nutrient loss to water, a reduction in both greenhouse gases (GHG) and ammonia emissions and improvements in habitats for biodiversity.” It listed key actions to achieve these aims, focused on efficiency measures rather than absolute reductions.

The 2027 Sectoral Road Map: Beef did not project beef cattle numbers or beef production. It stated that the number of suckler beef cows in Ireland is likely to continue to decline, but that there will be an increase in the number of farms rearing and “finishing” calves from the dairy herd (ie. turning into beef products) The listed environmental actions for the beef sector were primarily efficiency measures. These included improving breeding efficiency and reducing the average age at slaughter.³“2027 Sectoral Road Map: Beef,” Teagasc, December 9, 2020. Archived December 25, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/VPNkQ

The 2027 Sectoral Road Map: Agriculture and the Environment stated that:

 “Achieving reductions in gaseous emissions represents the most significant challenge for Irish agriculture. Ireland has a target [under the EU Emission Sharing Regulation] to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels and it is essential that agriculture plays its part. Recent growth of the sector driven by increases in the dairy herd and increases in the level of nitrogen (N) usage make the target reductions in greenhouse gases (GHGs) and ammonia extremely challenging.”⁴“2027 Sectoral Road Map: Agriculture and the Environment,” Teagasc, December 9, 2020. Archived December 22, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1BdLA

References

• 1
  “Teagasc Sectoral Roadmaps 2027,” Teagasc. December 9, 2020. Archived December 9, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ABqTN
• 2
  “2027 Sectoral Road Map: Dairy,” Teagasc, December 9, 2020. Archived November 25, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/4r21E
• 3
  “2027 Sectoral Road Map: Beef,” Teagasc, December 9, 2020. Archived December 25, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/VPNkQ
• 4
  “2027 Sectoral Road Map: Agriculture and the Environment,” Teagasc, December 9, 2020. Archived December 22, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1BdLA