New Trouw Nutrition tool aimed at measuring environmental impact of farm-gate milk
The online tool, which has been in development since 2021, uses farm-specific inputs such as milk production, on-farm energy use, and farm-grown ingredients, combined with data on purchased feeds and nutritional data. These inputs are then translated into an accurate estimate of the environmental impact per kg of farm-gate milk produced.
To remain competitive in an increasingly sustainability-oriented marketplace, dairy producers are being challenged to measure and reduce the environmental impact of their products. Early adopters of more sustainable practices are already benefitting from a clear competitive advantage, making value-chain transparency a key selling point, said Trouw Nutrition.
Others are still exploring where to begin their ‘sustainability journey’ and what they can do on the farm level to make their milk production more sustainable. Feed advisors have a key role to play in this transition, continued the Dutch supplier.
MyMilkPrint does not require specialist knowledge and there is minimal set-up or training. It enables feed advisors to uncover emission hotspots and identify effective strategies to reduce the environmental impact of their client’s milk, without compromising on milk production or animal performance, according to the developer. “Replacing a fat or protein source in a feed ration with an alternative ingredient that has a lower environmental footprint can lead to significant reductions in the total environmental impact of the feed ration. This, in turn, reduces the environmental impact of the milk produced."
The tool was trialled in Spain, UK and Ireland, a spokesperson confirmed. However, it is applicable to every dairy farmer no matter their scale and it can it be used in any country, she said.
Alignment with regulatory requirements
For dairy producers, the insights and reports provided by MyMilkPrint can easily be shared, helping to develop more sustainable practices and forge closer ties with downstream business partners such as supermarkets, wholesalers, and food processors. Furthermore, the service helps farmers align with increasingly stringent regulations, such as the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy and Common Agricultural Policy, among others.
“MyMilkPrint enables transparency on the environmental impact of farm-gate milk, helping farmers to meet market and regulatory requirements,” said Coen Smits, global sustainability director, Trouw Nutrition.
The tool is Trouw Nutrition’s second online environmental footprint service, following the launch of MyFeedPrint, which focused on calculating the environmental impact of feed ingredients, complete feed, and feed blends.
The company said it plans to release additional environmental impact calculation services on the MyNutriOpt platform for other livestock operations.
