One tool, all enterprises

Agrecalc is suitable for all farm enterprises

As a food producer, you’re facing constant challenges, from compliance and financial security, to staying competitive in the ever-changing market conditions. Transition to low-carbon agriculture is one area that has recently opened up and as such needs a new-style navigation and education, on a road that might not be clear to everyone just yet.

Agrecalc is here to support food producers, with the aim to account for emissions resulting from agricultural use of the land. Agrecalc takes into account emissions from: land and crop, livestock, and energy and waste.

Our practical, on-farm data audit and reporting allows for a quick glance emissions per farming activity. This will be even more evident on the dashboard in the next version of the tool, which is coming soon.

In the current reports compiled by the Agrecalc software, you can see the physical performance of enterprise, as well as whole farm sustainability indicators. The reports show emissions by gas and benchmark  comparison, together with potential mitigation areas.

Beef

Agrecalc has been used since 2016 to deliver carbon audits under the Scottish Farm Advisory Service (FAS) and Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES) in Scotland, as well as various government schemes in Northern Ireland since 2020. In addition to continuous support of these schemes, Agrecalc is recognised as the preferred carbon calculator in emerging government programmes such as Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) in Scotland.  

Sheep

Agrecalc adheres to IPCC (2019) and PAS 2050:11 supply chain standards throughout, with imminent plans for the tool to have appropriate ISO accreditation.

Dairy

Agrecalc has the ability to capture all farm enterprises, with the results expressed as whole farm, or allocated by enterprise and product. It also has operational modules on carbon sequestration from woodlands, hedges and soils. 

Our consulting experts validate all the data entered, to ensure data quality. The consultants have access to a large database of validated carbon datasets (6,000+ farms, 14,000+ farm reports). 

We’ve delivered considerable carbon footprint savings for a large dairy enterprise – Grosvenor Farms Limited, and we continue to support them on their journey toward net zero.

Pigs

Production of pork produces approximately half the GHGs per kilo of meat compared to beef or lamb since pigs are monogastric and produce only a fraction of the methane of ruminants. 

Emissions from pig production occur from two main sources, the underlying enteric emissions produced when food is broken down during the rearing process, and during manure management. For pig production 20% of the total GHG contribution is from nitrous oxide and a further 69% from methane released from manure.

Poultry and egg production

Energy use and CO2 emissions in egg and poultry production are easy to quantify, under your direct management and unlike other sectors, represent a substantial part of the GHG emissions from the farm. Giving attention to this aspect, along with overall flock health and output will directly benefit both the farm business and the environment.

Oilseeds and Cereals

The most significant source of Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from arable cropping in the UK is associated with the use of artificial nitrogen fertilisers, contributing to the large proportion of nitrous oxide released from agricultural systems. Another significant source would arise from cultivation activities, with the frequency, intensity, and depth influencing how these factors directly effect GHG emissions as a consequence of fuel usage and soil organic matter degradation.

farmer holding ripe carrots covered with soil to explain carbon cycle

Potatoes, Vegetables and Fruit

According to international methodologies, fertilisers are the only source of emissions from horticulture, however horticultural activities also cause other indirect emissions. The key sources of direct and indirect emissions from horticulture are:

  • fuel and electricity 
  • nitrogenous fertilizers and animal manures
  • waste and refrigerant loss to the atmosphere

Need expert guidance in decision making?

Contact us today to learn more how we can support your work.