Tag: Emissions

Emissions savings from changes to tractor tyres

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/vrhkycsy

As part of my undergraduate degree in UCD, I undertook an elective module called Agriculture Power and Machinery. Reducing field compaction and fuel consumption of tractors is one very interesting topic we covered. Practical application of theories was examined, where several research trials pertaining to this module were carried out on Lyon’s Research Farm.

Various widths and pressures of machinery tyres were trialled, mainly those of tractors, with a view to reducing compaction of the soil which directly positively affected crop growth, efficiency, and yields. Tillage farming practices especially can be consistently improved to increase food security, efficiency, and yields, while simultaneously reducing the impact on the environment.

Images from ongoing trials on UCD Lyon’s farm.

The article below by Agriland outlines how certain makes of tyres are better suited to reduced pressures and how these types of tyres can save on fuel consumption. The correct type of tyres along with the correct tyre pressures for field or road applications are important factors. Fuel savings and lower level of field compaction ultimately lowers the overall emissions produced. Lower fuel consumption lowers CO2 produced from farming practices while lower compaction level leads to increase yields and efficiencies which also lowers emissions when farm inputs and outputs are considered.

‘Farmers could save hundreds in fuel costs by choosing the right tyres’
Source: https://tinyurl.com/4kcfefst

Thesis Completed – Submission Day!

Since May I have been working on my thesis entitled: “Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant livestock: State of the Art & Future Perspectives”. This has been both a challenging and rewarding few months as it has required many hours of work, completing the systematic literature review of the topic and writing the review. All the time and effort has been worth it when it all came together and it was submitted last Thursday ahead of the submission deadline. I am delighted to have this final major part of the Masters completed and look forward to hopefully graduating in the coming weeks.

I would like to thank all who contributed to the thesis, especially my two main NUIG program supervisors, Prof Charles Spillane and Dr. Peter McKeown. Their expertise and guidance over the past few months was first class. This thesis is my most significant written piece to date. Currently, it has been submitted to NUIG for final grading. Futhermore, a collaborative objective of my supervisors and myself from this research project is to submit to the review to Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, with the aim of it being accepted for publication in the coming weeks.

In the review I explored the existing gaps in current literature and conducted a systematic review on the topic. I reviewed all methods generally used to measure greenhouse gas emissions, by considering the advantages and disadvantages for each method. In future, I hope this analysis will help the agricultural industry choose one method over another, based on the needs of the user.