About
Benefits of using Agrecalc © powered by SRUC and SAC Consulting
A resource use assessment, also known as a carbon footprint, shows the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions produced from routine farm activities, highlighting areas where changes can be made that, when implemented, will reduce emissions.
The three main greenhouse gases produced from agriculture include carbon dioxide, produced by burning fossil fuels; methane, produced as a natural by-product of animal digestion and; nitrous oxide which is released from soils following the application of nitrogen fertiliser (manufactured and organic) and soil disturbance.
Making more efficient use of resources strongly correlates with reduced production costs per kg of output, improving profitability of the farm business.
Development of Agrecalc © (Agricultural Resource Efficiency Calculator)
SAC Consulting has developed an agricultural resource efficiency calculator that determines on-farm emissions down to enterprise and per unit of output basis; the most meaningful comparisons when considering food production.
Only by breaking down emissions and resource use by enterprise can weaknesses be identified and actions to improve performance highlighted.
Key features of Agrecalc ©
- Emissions are calculated for the whole farm, per enterprise and per unit of saleable product
- Enterprises include beef, sheep, dairy, pigs, poultry, cereals, oilseeds, potatoes, vegetables and fruits
- Generation of year on year comparisons, benchmarks and key performance indicators
- Based on a PAS2050 compliant tool providing assurance that the greenhouse gas emissions being reported are calculated in a consistent way across the industry
- IPCC Tier I and Tier II calculations used
- Future proof