A comparison of farm labour, profitability, and carbon footprint of different management strategies in Northern European grassland sheep systems

Sheep production systems need to become more carbon efficient meet growing public demands on climate change. Some of the ways postulated achieve this is implement new technologies and management strategies such as precision livestock farming (PLF), increased use high genetic merit animals with estimated breeding values through artificial insemination (AI) where practical, prolific breeds. However, footprint impact these has not to-date been quantified. Additionally, international experience indicates that uptake low due, in part, perception workload especially during busy periods sheep year. This trans-European study investigates differing farm labour input, well on-farm profitability, address concerns. Four were considered i) technology ii) performance recording for higher merit, iii) AI iv) breeds, 14 case flocks located areas typical Northern European grassland across Scotland, France, Ireland Norway. For each strategy, paired identified. Labour was assessed at key handling events using video recording, farmers' diaries, questionnaires, which later quantified classed into tasks create normalised profiles flock. The a calculator tool (www.agrecalc.com). Financial net margins calculated. Results highlighted introducing PLF extensive farms reduced by 20% economic £9/ewe but concurrent increase emissions (kg CO2e/ kg meat produced). Using achieving £6/ewe, CO2e) per produced resulted 10% extra labour. £50/ewe, did incur efficiency terms CO2e/kg produced. Finally, breeds significantly input (+£3/ewe), without change These novel studies clearly illustrate it possible adopting technology, changing or ewe breed farms.