Methane Abatement in Grazing Systems (MAGs) is a research-based effort that aims to assess manure, feed, and breeding management options.

It will evaluate feed additives to cut methane emissions from cattle and slurry, as well as breed animals that emit less of the gas. It will also determine the most effective combinations of tactics that may be implemented on farms in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Scientists at the university will collaborate with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Northern Ireland, and the farming research organisation Teagasc to increase testing and assess each of the measures.

The University of Galway's Dr. Sinead Waters, the project leader, stated: “Agriculture is Ireland's oldest and largest indigenous industry, but it now faces major challenges in meeting the 2030 targets of a 25% reduction for farming-related greenhouse gas emissions.”

Dr Waters stated that efforts to “mitigate methane emissions related to cattle and sheep need to be rapidly developed and implemented on farm to comply with these targets.”

The “unique team of excellent scientists and industry partners” assembled for this project, she continued, can boost the industry and “align with international initiatives such as the EU Methane Strategy and Global Methane Pledge” through their work.

The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine has pledged €1.4 million towards the initiative.