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LCA Models

AgNav was built and specifically designed for the Irish agricultural sector, both in terms of the specificity of its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) models and the under-the-hood structure of its data sets and data collection.

Dairy and Beef Life Cycle Assessment Model

In AgNav, animal and farm management data is collated and used to complete a life cycle assessment (LCA) for a given farm from cradle to farm-gate. Developed through years of Teagasc research, the dairy and beef LCA is used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions, ammonia emissions, and other environmental indicators of a farm.

Tillage Life Cycle Assessment Model

Teagasc collaborated with Tirlán to develop an LCA model specifically for Irish tillage farming systems. Teagasc’s tillage LCA model evaluates the carbon footprint of native Irish grains from cradle to farm-gate. Teagasc’s tillage LCA model utilises national information on agricultural emissions and carbon capture and retention (sequestration) to determine carbon footprint as CO2 emissions per tonne of grain produced.

Life Cycle Assessment Standards & Model Certification

Life cycle assessment is an internationally recognized methodology used to determine the environmental impact of all stages embodied in the life of a product, service, or process (ISO 14040, ISO 14044).  

Following these ISO standards, the beef and dairy LCA deployed in AgNav have been independent reviewed by the Carbon Trust. The LCA models have been certified to comply with PAS 2050 and ISO 14067 standards for the quantification of the carbon footprint of milk and beef. The dairy LCA model also aligns with the International Dairy Federations global Carbon footprint standard for the dairy sector (IDF 2022).  

The AgNav tillage LCA model has been certified by the Carbon Trust. AgNav’s model boundary is cradle to farm-gate and the AgNav Tillage LCA model is aligned with ISO 14067, Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard, and PAS 20250.  

Want more information on the science of AgNav?

For more information on the dairy and beef LCA models in AgNav, you can check out these scientific papers: 

Life cycle assessment of pasture-based dairy production systems: Current and future performance  

The simulated environmental impact of incorporating white clover into pasture-based dairy production systems  

Greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen efficiency of dairy cows of divergent economic breeding index under seasonal pasture-based management  

LIFE BEEF CARBON: a common framework for quantifying grass and corn based beef farms’ carbon footprints  

Life cycle assessment of pasture-based suckler steer weanling-to-beef production systems: Effect of breed and slaughter age  

 

For more information on the tillage LCA model in AgNav, you can check out this scientific paper: 

A life cycle assessment model of Irish grain cropping systems focused on carbon footprint