UK dairy farms are using Fitbit-like collars to monitor cow health and trialling “poo power” to fuel milk tankers in attempts to reduce their environmental impact.
Farmer-owned co-operative Arla, has published a report looking at the carbon footprint of milk using independently assessed data.
The study outlines measures farmers can and are taking, such as precision slurry-spreading techniques, using manure for energy, reducing the amount of protein in cow diets and making sure they are healthy – and happy.
Arla said the research would help meet its target for a 30 per cent cut in emissions per kilogramme of milk at farm level by 2030, on the way to becoming carbon net zero across the supply chain by 2050.
Alice Swift, agriculture director for Arla Foods, said: “Dairy can and should be part of a sustainable diet and our new report is a major step forward in demonstrating just how much action is already under way across Arla farms as we move towards carbon net zero dairy production.
“All food production creates emissions, but our farmers are stepping up to help with the climate and environmental crisis we face.”
The report highlights the main sources of emissions for the raw milk produced on Arla farms are cow digestion and the methane they burp out, and how and where the livestock feed is produced.
Other sources of greenhouse gases are manure handling, energy production and use, and emissions from peat soils, the report said.
LSL News.