research
Climate Neutral Operational Systems
Harnessing the resources of our natural environment to create new products and sustainable system.
Our Mission
Building a Climate-Neutral Future
At BiOrbic, we’re rethinking how farms, forests, and fisheries operate, making them low-emission, increasing efficiency and resilience. This pillar focuses on reducing greenhouse gases and chemical use, improving how natural resources are managed.
By developing climate-neutral systems, we aim to balance productivity with sustainability, helping Ireland meet and exceed EU targets for a cleaner, greener future.
Research Programmes
What Research is BiOrbic Doing?
The Climate Neutral Operational Systems pillar focuses on making farming, forestry, and fisheries more sustainable. Each challenge explores practical ways to cut emissions, use resources efficiently, and protect the environment.
Climate Neutral operational systems
Animal Agriculture
This challenge explores how livestock farming can reach net zero emissions while restoring nature on farms. Researchers are developing new ways to manage grasslands, animals, and nutrients to reduce emissions and improve biodiversity without sacrificing productivity.
key research areas
Reduce methane and nitrogen loss from animal systems.
Support biodiversity, soil, and water quality.
Create viable, sustainable farming models for the future.
active Projects
ABP: Pathways to sustainable pasture based beef production
The aim of this project is to investigate if there is any impact from sward types on water usage and water quality in pasture based beef production systems in Ireland. This project aims to gain more insight and to explore a possible difference in the overall environmental impact, from the incorporation of more diverse swards to this production system. To development management blueprints for application at commercial farm level that will support producers to reduce their environmental footprint and quantify same. To begin a journey for ABP’s trial farm to carbon neutral beef production.
Adesco: More efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly storage of cereal grains in temperate climates
To investigate the potential of organic acid preservation of feed ingredients for pigs
Development of novel multispecies sward mixtures to enhance sustainability and resilience of livestock production systems
To improve the persistence and resilience of the forage herb component of multispecies swards (MSS), and to determine the agronomic performance of additional novel species within these swards
EMBEDED
Exploiting Modular Biochar and board production plants to locally transform waste from traditional agrifood, feed and forestry industries into bio-materials with rEgional DEmanD.
Farm Zero C
Management: Reduce farm emissions on Shinagh estates dairy farm by 50-65% Enteric Methane Mitigation: Trial combination of methane reducing feed additives at grazing and during housing. Soil Health: Investigate soil health improvements, bio-stimulants and slurry separation for potential on Irish farms. Social Science
Future-proofing the sustainability of pasture-based dairy-beef production systems
To utilise novel strategies in relation to animal breeding, alternative forage use and supplementation of novel feed additives to improve the environmental sustainability of Irish pasture based dairy-calf to beef considering biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions and water quality to deliver environmentally and economically beneficial future dairy-beef production systems. Ciaran 2024: To compare the performance of dairy-beef calves across multiple experiments, including varied planes of nutrition, levels of immune status, and weaning strategies, as well as reduce environmental impact through feed additives. Ciaran 2025: To compare the performance of dairy replacement heifers and dairy-beef calves across multiple experiments, including varied planes of nutrition (both pre- and post-weaning), as well as the potential mitigation of methane emissions through the feeding of methane mitigating additives.
Producing and testing sustainable feedstocks in green biorefinery systems
Development and assessment of products produced through green biorefinery. To investigate the characterisation, processing, and scalability of different green biomass feedstocks within a green biorefinery process, in order to identify suitable feedstocks, optimise production pathways, and assess their potential applications and sustainability for commercial implementation.
Rural BioReFarmeries
Green BioReFarmeries - Small-scale Circular Green Biorefineries for increasing farmer sustainability and competitiveness and building resilient rural areas
impact
Why This Research Matters
Farms, forests, and fisheries can fight climate change. Our research finds practical ways to cut emissions, protect ecosystems, and grow the economy.
Reduce Emissions
Transform farms, forests, and fisheries to cut greenhouse gases and reach climate targets.
Boost Resource Efficiency
Use land, water, and inputs like fertiliser and feed more sustainably.
Innovate for Sustainability
Develop practical, real-world methods for carbon-neutral food and material production.
Protect Ecosystems
Ensure operational systems support biodiversity, soil health, and clean water.
Strategic Alignment
Aligned with Key EU and National Targets
Our research aligns with EU and Irish national targets, which set measurable goals for sustainable agriculture, forestry, and marine systems. These targets ensure our work supports wider climate and environmental commitments in Ireland and Europe.
