Others
Examples listed in this key area range from current research through to dairy farming initiatives.
Dairy Self Assessment Tool (DairySAT) - Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
The Dairy Self Assessment Tool (DairySAT) is the Australian dairy industry pre-farm gate environmental self assessment tool. It covers 10 key topic areas: Soils, Fertilisers, Effluent Management, Irrigation, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Native Vegetation and Waterways, Energy and Water in the Dairy, Pests and Weeds, Chemicals, Farm Waste.
DairySAT is designed to enable farmers:
- understand the environmental issues facing their farm;
- benchmark where their environmental practices sit compared to industry-wide practices;
- identify the most critical environmental issues on their farm;
- know the legal and dairy company requirements in relation to the environment; and
- understand those issues where they need more information, and be provided with key contacts for the issues.
DairySAT is available in hard copy or on line. Follow the link below. DairySAT is a key component of all Australian dairy industry natural resource management (NRM) and climate change programs delivered by milk companies, regional Natural Resource Management bodies, state agencies, Landcare groups, State Farming Organisations and Regional Dairy Programs.
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Arla’s Environmental Strategy 2020 sets new standards
| Source : Arla Foods |
Arla’s new environmental strategy for 2020 aims high.
From focusing exclusively on the impact from production, transport and packaging, the recently completed strategy plan now encompasses the entire environmental impact of dairy products - right from the farm to the consumers’ wheelie bins.
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Yoggi yalla!® - Arla’s climate neutral drinking yoghurt - Denmark and Sweden
| Source : Arla Foods |
- Arla in 2009 launched its first climate neutral product Yoggi Yalla.
- The environmental impact of each step of the production process has been established.
- Emissions are compensated for by tree planting in Mozambique.
- Mozambique farmers are learning forestry management skills and as a result achieving enhanced livelihoods.
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Arla Foods work with emissions reductions
| Source : Arla Foods |
- Arla’s climate target to reduce GHG emissions by 25% in production, transport and packaging in 2020;
- Every year Arla calculates the total carbon footprint from farm to factory;
- In 2010: a 6.2% reduction was achieved;
- A new project has started to develop a model to calculate the carbon footprint at farm level.
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Fonterra Emissions Variation Assessment - New Zealand
| Source : Fonterra |
Fonterra was aware that there were large variations in the emissions efficiency levels of the company’s milk supply, even within a single region. Previous studies also showed that the lowest emissions farmers were also the most profitable. This variation represented potential emissions reductions – if every farmer could perform at the efficiency level of the best farmers, emissions could be greatly reduced while farmers could increase profit.
Before developing supplier extension programmes, Fonterra wanted to find out if these variations were driven by different farm conditions, such as rainfall, topography, temperature and soil type, or due to different farm management. Fonterra commissioned AgResearch to answer this question. AgResearch took a sample of farms from five different regions in New Zealand that were known to have different average emissions (149 farms in total). AgResearch then performed carbon footprint analysis for each farm. Using farm information they were then able to conclude that carbon footprint variations were predominantly management driven.
This is good news for Fonterra as it means there is a large potential to work with dairy farmers to reduce the carbon footprint of the company’s milk supply, while also improving farm economics, simply through improving dairy farm management. Fonterra is applying this knowledge to development of programmes that support farmers in making further emissions reductions and reducing between farm emissions variation.
Dairy Roadmap - United Kingdom
| Source : DairyCo |
In May 2008, the Dairy Supply Chain Forum through an industry wide working group identified a set of ambitious environmental reduction targets for the fluid milk supply chain. The dairy supply chain has made significant progress since the development of the original document. The release of the Dairy Roadmap in May 2011 not only reports on the progress made against the agreed 2010 targets, it now also encompasses more than just the fluid milk, which is indicative of the extent to which the whole dairy sector has adopted and is committed to delivering the targets associated with this initiative.
Progress to date is encouraging, though the sector is aware that it cannot rest as the targets for 2015 and 2020 are just as challenging!
The Dairy Roadmap is a ‘living’ document and future targets are under constant review to ensure the industry is continually challenging itself and taking account of evolving external factors.
Download the report from the link below.
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U.S. Dairy Sustainability Commitment
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
In 2007 in an unprecedented pre-competitive collaboration, leaders and experts from within and outside the U.S. dairy industry have joined together to identify and deploy sustainability innovations that make good business sense. Our initiative began with a definition of sustainability for our industry: To provide consumers with the nutritious dairy products they want in a way that makes our industry, the earth and its people economically, environmentally and socially better — now and for future generations.
Today, more than 500 dairy stakeholders from every segment of the value chain — including environmental, academic and scientific experts — are working together on 10 greenhouse gas reduction projects that capitalize on those opportunities. By 2020, the projects are estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 11 percent and increase business value by $238 million per year in today’s dollars.
The U.S. Dairy Sustainability Commitment includes a more ambitious voluntary goal to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of fluid milk by 25 percent by 2020.
In December 2010, the first annual U.S. Dairy Sustainability Commitment Progress Report was published to demonstrate the industry's progress toward reducing our environmental impact.
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Planting riverbanks in trees - New Zealand
| Source : Fonterra |
- Farmers are encouraged to plant riverbanks and other marginal areas in trees, or other appropriate vegetation, through regional riparian plans and through the national emissions trading scheme.
- For example, farmers in the Taranaki region have planted 4,500 kilometres of river bank in riparian strips, with a further 3,400 kilometres proposed. These strips sequester carbon, improve local water quality and increase biodiversity.
Emissions Trading Scheme
- New Zealand dairy farmers now face a financial price for all greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers are always aiming to reduce energy and fuel use. The potential to avoid carbon costs provides an additional benefit from doing so.
Web based mapping tool: eFarmer - Australia
| Source : Murray Goulburn Cooperative |
- Access to a web based aerial photography and mapping tool, eFarmer, which allows property mapping to the paddock level.
- Data relating to soil testing, fertiliser application or harvest results, for example, can be uploaded using information provided by the farmer or a third party such as the fertiliser spreader
- Linkages with tools on the new MGF@RM such as the Nutrient Calculator and Autofile which can ‘talk’ to eFarmer to map information automatically
- The DairySAT is a dairy industry environmental self assessment tool which will help farmers acknowledge where they are doing well and highlight areas that may require action
- Undertake a Nutrient Loss Index which assists earmark where farmers may be losing valuable nutrients from the farm
Methane reduction through improved breeding of animals - India
| Source : National Dairy Development Board of India (NDDB) |
The NDDB has taken up various initiatives on quality semen production and efficient artificial insemination (A1) delivery network. These initiatives have helped in reducing inter calving interval. Reduction in inter calving interval helps in increasing the productive life of animals due to which dry matter consumption per liter of milk is less in the entire lifespan of an animal. This in turn helps in reducing methane emission per litre of milk.
Thus various breed improvement programmes of NDDB are helping in reducing methane emission per litre of milk.
Methane reduction through breed improvement programmes - India
| Source : National Dairy Development Board of India (NDDB) |
To enhance the genetic potential of animals and to reduce the inter calving interval, NDDB has initiated various breed improvement programmes which help not only in improving productivity but also in reducing methane emission per litre of milk.
These programmes include production of progeny tested bulls of various breeds with higher genetic potential. Pedigreed animals have better feed conversion efficiency, therefore methane emission per litre of milk is reduced as the feed consumption per litre of milk is less by the animals of superior genetic potential.
Tools for Dairying Change: MG FarmC@re Environment Program - Australia
| Source : Murray Goulburn Cooperative |
MG FarmC@re Environment Program: a whiole farm risk management program that provides assurance for Murray Goulburn farmers together with our constomers.
This program works with farmer suppliers to improve farm environmental management using automated web based tools. The program focusses on nutrient and effluent management but also offers avenues for exploring new ideas and assistance in other areas of farm management and improved farm performance.
Reducing and measuring carbon footprint - Graeme Nicoll, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
use the GDAS calculator to measure carbon emissions. For every nine tonnes of carbon emitted, our farm produces one tonne of milk solids comprising one tonne of milk fat and one tonne of milk protein. This represents 9.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per hectare of our farmland.
We herd test at least six times a year and use industry farm program research to breed cows that have high feed conversion efficiency. Our herd is cross-bred. Each year our herd produces their equivalent liveweight or considerably higher in milk solids. Refer to the following video:
Breeding (genetics) to improve milk production traits - MaryAnn Hortle, Moriaty, Tasmania, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
A very important focus of MaryAnn and her husband's on-farm activities is cattle breeding. Their purpose is to breed better, more economically viable cows. As a result of improving the genetic merit of their herd and more widely in Tasmania the cows can produce milk more efficiently, lowering greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of milksolids produced. Refer to the following video:
Sustainable Dairy Farming
| Source : DeLaval |
Sustainable Dairy Farming is a DeLaval initiative to reduce the environmental footprint of farms, while improving milk production, farm profitability and the well-being of the people and animals involved.
How?
We believe this goal can be achieved by smart technology and services to increase resource efficiency on farm.
After the pioneering Edinburgh conference on climate change in 2008, DeLaval launched the Sustainable Dairy Farming initiative. Since then, six more solutions have been added to a range of products focusing on energy, water, feed and animal health.
Regarding greenhouse gas emissions, the FAO* has identified key farm mitigation areas: improved herd management, manure handling and feed efficiency. All are central to the DeLaval product and service portfolio.
The Path to Sustainable Development – A Strategy for Canadian Dairy Farmers
| Source : Dairy Farmers of Canada |
In July 2010, Canadian dairy farmers adopted a sustainable development strategy to solidify their commitment to ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of dairy farming in Canada.
While dairy farmers have long served as environmental stewards, this strategy will direct their efforts to further reduce the dairy farming carbon footprint in Canada. As a start, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is partnering with government, academic institutions and the private sector to fund research on sustainable practices in dairy, including the launch of a lifecycle analysis of the dairy farm sector.
Dairy farmers’ vision for the strategy is:
“Working within the context of a strong supply management system, Canadian dairy farmers will strive to produce safe, nutritious food in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way to the benefit of Canadian society."
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Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency
| Source : Tetra Pak International |
- Tetra Pak committed to reduce the CO2 emissions of its own operations by 10% between 2005 and 2010 in absolute terms, and exceeded this 2010 target by cutting its emissions 12.9 % while increasing production. This represents a relative reduction of more than 30% in 2010 compared to 2005.
- The reductions have been achieved through improved energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy, for example the new manufacturing plant in Hohhot, China is running entirely on renewable energy. The savings globally in CO2 eq. compared to business as usual amounts to approximately 117 000 tons, roughly 74 000 tons from purchase of green energy and about 43 000 tons via increased energy efficiency. More than 60% of these savings (app. 70 000 tons) can be attributed to the production of processing and packaging solutions for Tetra Pak’s dairy customers.
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- In April 2011, Tetra Pak announced its new environmental programme aiming to cap carbon emissions at 2010 levels by the end of 2020 while maintaining growth. With an estimated 5% annual growth rate achieving this goal would require a 40% relative reduction in CO2 eq. emissions. This target not only includes Tetra Pak’s operations, but also those across the entire value chain. This means that Tetra Pak will additionally ask its suppliers to meet agreed targets and will support customers’ activities to reduce their own emissions.
DairyCo Business Groups – Great Britain
| Source : DairyCo |
The field-based Extension Team are an integral part of the DairyCo Knowledge Transfer Team and are the first point of contact for dairy farmers on technical dairying topics. The Extension Team regularly work with dairy farmer Business Groups, communicating up to date knowledge and research-based information from DairyCo and around the world to support farmers in making changes to their businesses and improving their production efficiency.
Three core activities in the discussion group portfolio directly relate to the climate change challenge:
- On-farm energy consumption
- On-farm fertiliser and manure and slurry usage
- On-farm water usage
DairyCo have even developed a water resource booklet for dairy farmers to aid them in planning effectively their water management strategy. Refer to the link below.
DairyCo has issued the third year of water surveys with the June edition of All Things Dairy. This report will be available in December 2011.
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Gray Baldwin and Hamish Putt – New Zealand Ballance Farm Environment Award Winners - committed to sustainable dairying
| Source : Gray Baldwin and Hamish Putt |
- Gray Baldwin and Hamish Putt apply their fertilizer at rates which maximise grass growth and reduce losses to the environment.
- Potential nutrient losses to streams are further reduced as a result of extensive planting of the riparian margins of their dairy farm.
- Pinus radiata plantings act to sequester carbon and help trend the farm toward carbon neutrality.
Desktop review of greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farming - United Kingdom
| Source : DairyCo |
- This is a detailed desktop review of current research knowledge on the three main greenhouse gas emissions emanating from Dairy Farming. This review was designed to improve industry knowledge and aid the planning of future research and extension activities for dairy farmers. The project also included ammonia which is not a greenhouse gas but requires further investigation to determine its impact on the environment.
- This project enabled the industry to l identify gaps in knowledge that existed in the research field. It also provided the necessary basis for the generation of farmer focused information and initiatives that improved existing knowledge and introduced new concepts on mitigation and adaptation alternatives.
- Completed December 2008
Dairy Power Underground: capture of methane emissions - USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
- On the dairy farm a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions is the methane released from manure through anaerobic degradation. Methane gas is twenty-three times more potent as a GHG than carbon dioxide
- The Dairy Underground project will evaluate the economic viability of constructing and operating a biogas pipeline by focusing on construction economics, methane production levels, utility infrastructures and producer benefit
- In addition to having generated additional revenues from capture of carbon credits, a one thousand head farm will have reduced up to 7,767 tons of CO2e through the capture of methane emissions
Dairy Power: anaerobic technologies – USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
Methane from manure is the second largest source of GHG emissions in the fluid milk chain; approximately 21 percent of the total fluid milk carbon footprint and
- At the same time presents a largely untapped source of renewable energy
The US industry is committed to large scale digester adoption.
Achieving digester adoption by the goal of 1,300 farms would yield yearly revenues of $38 million and offset two million tons of CO2e annually by 2020.
Dairy Feed Systems - USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
Producing feed and forage is the first step in the fluid milk value chain and accounts for 21 percent of the life cycle assessment (LCA) for fluid milk
- Dairy cattle feed is made up of varying proportions of row crops (corn, soy and alfalfa hay), grasses, and forages together with more amounts of other crops and dietary supplements
- Roughly 65 percent of feed is commercially produced off-farm and the remaining 35 percent grown on dairy farms
A primary source of greenhouse gas (GHG) is the production of commercial fertilizer
A ten percent reduction in dairy farm use of nitrogen fertilizer for growing corn by 2020, while maintaining current yield, will save
- $70 million and
- Reduce the farm’s carbon footprint by approximately 770,000 tons for all raw milk
- (thirty percent of these values can be attributed to fluid milk)
Bega Environment Management System (BEMS) - Australia
| Source : Bega Cheese |
Bega Cheese has been actively developing partnerships with key agencies in the Bega Valley including; the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, Department of Primary Industries, Bega Valley Shire Council, Eurobodalla Shire Council and the Far South Coast Landcare Association.
Through the development of these partnerships Bega Cheese has been able to attract funding to address the key issues identified during the BEMS development process. Implemented the associated spin off activities such as nutrient mapping for each farm and whole farms plans and improved farm management practices
Financial grants are currently available to help dairy farmers improve major environmental issues affecting their long term sustainability. Grants are currently available to address the following issues:
- Effluent Management
- Irrigation Management
- Nutrient management
- Biodiversity
- Soil erosion
- Climate Change adaptation to drought
Ben&Jerry’s and CONO’s Caring Dairy Program – the Netherlands
| Source : CONO Cheesemakers (CONO Kaasmakers) - Ben & Jerry’s |
The sustainable dairy farming programme Caring Dairy was initiated by Unilever’s ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s in 2003, and is currently a partnership between Ben & Jerry’s and the makers of Beemster cheese Cono. The programme involves over 500 farmers, is based on continuous improvement along 11 sustainability themes or indicators: soil health, soil loss, nutrients, pest management, biodiversity, energy, water, farmj economics, social human capital, local economy and animal welfare. Each participating farmer measures his performance in these areas and participates in three workshops annually on themes of their choice, resulting into individual improvement plans, which are monitored, measuredf and adapted were necessay in the next years.
The Caring Dairy logo is carried on Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Beemster cheese pack.
All Ben&Jerry’s ice cream in Europe is climate neutral.
Ben&Jerry’s follows a three step process applicable to the entire life cycle:
- Using as little resources as possible, for example improving efficiency, applying new technology
- Use as much renewable resources as possible and
- Compensate the remaining climate impact, as calculated in CO2 equivalents by investing in gold standard clean energy programme.
The Caring Dairy program deals with steps 1 and 2 for the dairy production part of the supply chain.
CO2 levy - Switzerland
| Source : Swiss Milk Commission |
Switzerland has signed the Kyoto-Agreement; so the reduction of the GHG emission is part of the national policy in generally (introduction of a "CO2-levy").
Some elements had been introduced in the national agricultural policy as a part of the multifunctional agricultural policy in Switzerland.
Environment protection plan: agricultural aspects - Iran
| Source : IDF National Committee of Iran |
The Iranian Environmental Protection Agency general program for the next four years (2010 to 2013) requires:
- Performance of green management program including management of energy consumption, water, primary material and reduction of unneeded solid material including their recovery
- To establish environmental measures to reduce contaminants by supporting internal and external private organisations
- To gather cattle and prepare suitable places in replacement of forest and the other sites
- To balance pasture and farm animal numbers
Silvopastoral Systems: Reserva Natural El Hatico - Colombia
| Source : FEDEGAN-FNG |
Reserva Natural El Hatico is a good example of the benefits of silvopastoral systems in cattle raising. Read on in Spanish.
Feeding efficiency through local breeds - Colombia
| Source : FEDEGAN-FNG |
See picture
Alcock, JE, BJ, RJ, and R - Crystal Brook, Australia
| Source : Bega Environmental Management System |
See picture
‘Cool Coastal Cows’ - Caring for Our Country Program - Australia
| Source : Bega Cheese |
Funding is available to:
- Assist with the construction of effective and environmentally sound feed out areas during times of drought. Two properties have been successfully completed to date
- Develop, process and implement Nutrient Management Plans and Nutrient Recording Systems for dairy farmers and;
- Fence and revegetate around eight hectares of land with local native species
This project will help farmers manage the effects of climate change whilst minimising emissions through improved nutrient management and revegetation
