How can feed additives help reduce methane emissions from dairy farming while maintaining economic viability? This question drives the Science-Policy Interface (SPI) on greenhouse gas mitigation in Trento, Italy. At the heart of this SPI is the EcoLivestock project, an innovative initiative that investigates the use of essential oils and other feed additives to reduce methane emissions from cattle while maintaining milk quality and farm profitability.
The SPI brings together diverse stakeholders from across the dairy supply chain, including livestock farmers, feed producers, dairy cooperatives such as Concast, provincial and national policymakers, innovation brokers from organizations like Agriduemila Hub Innovation, and research institutions from the University of Trento. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures that scientific findings are translated into practical solutions that address the real-world challenges faced by producers and policymakers alike.
Through participatory workshops, stakeholders identify critical challenges and co-develop strategies to overcome them. Key issues discussed include ensuring that feed additives comply with production standards and disciplinaries, overcoming low farmer engagement, managing the costs associated with certification and monitoring systems, and addressing logistical challenges such as administering essential oils during mountain pasture seasons. Solutions proposed include developing training programs to increase farmers‘ awareness of methane reduction technologies, creating financial support schemes to incentivize green innovation, strengthening collaboration between the dairy and tourism sectors to enhance product valorization, and establishing robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems to measure emission reductions accurately.
By fostering dialogue between science, policy, and practice, this SPI supports the transition toward a more climate-resilient and economically competitive dairy sector in Trentino, contributing to broader sustainability goals while addressing the real-world challenges faced by local producers.