AgNav to definitively calculate carbon footprint of Irish grain
The period ahead will see Teagasc tillage advisers actively promoting the widespread use of the AgNav knowledge transfer support tool to accurately assess the carbon footprint of Irish grain crops.
The issue was discussed at the 2026 National Tillage Conference, and a presentation on the use of AgNav was also given at a recent Spring Tillage seminar hosted by Teagasc in Dundalk.
Those in attendance were informed that the digital calculator can be used to assess the carbon footprint of crops grown in 2026, with comparisons also generated for 2025 and 2024.
AgNav
Teagasc’s Meabh O’Hagan explained: “Registration on the AgNav website is the first step in the process.
“Growers will then be asked to supply information on the various aspects of their tillage enterprises and the crop management processes they use."
This will include: the listing of crop type; soil type; the areas of the various crops grown; establishment procedures; spraying policy; liming policy; fertiliser application levels; final yields; and grain dry matters.
“It will take no more than 10 minutes for growers to upload all the information required," O'Hagan said.
“When this has been completed, AgNav will deliver a carbon footprint assessment per crop type in terms of kilos of carbon dioxide per tonne of grain produced.
“The lower this figure, the lower the carbon footprint of the crop in question."
O'Hagan said Teagasc advisers will be available to help farmers with this process, or growers can use their own agronomists.
It is hoped that up to 1,000 tillage farmers will commit to AgNav in 2026.
Carbon footprint
Preliminary results using the system do confirm the extremely low carbon footprint of Irish grains in international terms.
Oat crops have been estimated as having a net zero carbon footprint. This is on the basis of the straw produced being incorporated back into the soil post-harvest
Significantly, Teagasc is confirming that AgNav is an internationally accredited, digital tool
"AgNav is much more than a carbon calculator," O’Hagan said.
“Its regular use will allow tillage farmers to identify those aspects of their businesses that can be improved upon in order to secure considerable higher levels of overall efficiency.”
The relevance of this assertion has been borne out by analysis of National Farm Survey data, which confirms that three key factors drive profitability within the tillage sector.
These are: crop yields; the management of crop inputs; and the control of costs.
