COP29 told global climate funds failing grassroots farmers
The two largest global climate funds are failing to channel vital financing to grassroots farmer organizations, where it could have the greatest impact, reads a new study.
Sustainability
Key strategies for sustainable production: Feed efficiency, high-quality forage, coproduct use, and reduced crude protein
The UK animal feed industry is increasingly focused on supporting sustainable livestock production.
Arla, Muller team up to tackle on-farm emissions
Two of the largest dairy processors in Britain will unite in a sustainability partnership led by grocer Tesco.
How can industry engage farmers and collaborate to achieve methane reduction?
At the Animal Agtech Innovation Summit in Amsterdam earlier this month, an expert panel explored strategies for reducing methane emissions, focusing on how industry collaboration can amplify environmental impact.
Study: Biochar ineffective as feed additive for reducing methane in dairy cows
A recent Swiss study has found that biochar (BC), a substance gaining popularity in agriculture for carbon storage and soil improvement, does not effectively reduce methane emissions.
Food companies' regenerative ag strategies 'lack ambition'
Beef and dairy companies put greater focus on claiming lower emissions through regenerative ag practices over embracing the concept holistically, a new report has found.
Danone targets feed-related emissions reductions through new MoU
The dairy major aims to cut feed procurement-related emissions by leveraging a lysine supplement on farms across four continents.
Report illustrates urgent need for food sector to tackle scope 3 emissions
Food giants are still lagging in their decarbonisartion efforts to meet high-level climate targets, according to analysis.
Bovaer’s expansion in Asia gathers pace
The dsm-firmenich-produced feed additive is being trialed in several Asian markets: here’s how things stand.
US dairies gain a new route into the US carbon markets
The dairy soils programs launched by Truterra, Land O’Lakes’ sustainability business, can bring benefits to both suppliers and eco-conscious food manufacturers alike.
Cargill China: Methane reduction must add up commercially
From its work on the Carbon Reduction Project in China, Cargill is confident that by applying innovation in dairy farming, methane emission reductions and productivity enhancements can go hand in hand.
Startup modulating the rumen microbiome to suppress methane
Australian company Bovotica is pioneering technology aimed at modulating the rumen microbiome to reduce methane emissions in cows while simultaneously boosting production efficiency.
Cargill backed research to optimize existing feed strategies to cut methane in cows
US researchers are investigating the combined effects of additives and grain processing on reducing enteric methane emissions from feedlot cattle.
UK government criticized over lack of action on reducing methane emissions
Why isn’t the UK government doing more to make sure agriculture’s methane emissions come down, asks the Green Alliance.
Is dairy linked to deforestation?
Deforestation has been linked to a range of commodities including palm oil, soy, cocoa and cattle. But how close is its link with dairy?
Tesco trials methane-cutting feed as UK retailers race for greener dairy
UK retailer, Tesco, has launched a trial of a methane-reducing feed supplement to reduce the environmental impact of dairy production.
British dairies face steep climate resilience costs
UK dairy farmers may need to fork out more than $60,000 per year on average on top of the cost of production in order to achieve an acceptable level of climate resilience, a dairy consultancy has estimated.
Blended & hybrid protein products’ potential for sustainable food production
Combining plant and animal proteins into hybrid and blended products can diversify diets which “may have a positive environmental impact on our food ecosystem,” Dina Fernandez, global science & tech director, alternative proteins, ADM, told...
Morrisons teams up with Sea Forest to fast-track lower methane beef
Australia’s Sea Forest is working with Myton Food Group, the manufacturing arm of UK retailer, Morrisons, to get its seaweed derived methane abating livestock feed ingredient supplied to beef cows.
Pasture-based systems: Irish scientists given €1.4m to test methane mitigation strategies
The Irish government is funding a project at the University of Galway to the tune of €1.4m (US$1.5m) aimed at researching greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction solutions for agriculture.
Methane emission reduction strategies: Exploring innovations and global initiatives
Join our online event next week as we discuss how the focus on methane emissions reduction in the US has intensified recently, highlighted by the FDA's approval of Bovaer, pending legislation, and an increasing number of federal grants.
New Zealand abandons plans to price farm emissions – for now
A government policy that could have put some dairy farmers out of business has been postponed – but what are politicians proposing now?
Can legislative proposal help US meet methane reduction pledge?
A bipartisan bill introduced into the US House of Representatives aims at promoting agricultural sustainability and supporting efforts to reduce methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
FDA approves Bovaer for use in US dairy cattle
The methane-reducing feed supplement is expected to launch commercially later this year, Elanco Animal Health Inc. has announced.
More milk, less carbon: Fat supplement proves a high yielder in commercial dairy trials
A palm-free fat supplement has thrilled farmers and researchers by improving dairy cows' milk production and feed efficiency by a greater margin than was thought possible.
Dairy farmer handed $19K bill over ‘polluting dam of manure’
A British dairy and arable farmer has been prosecuted for causing ‘catastrophic’ pollution after illegally-constructed slurry storage ruptured.
UK supermarket Waitrose unveils plans to accelerate nature-friendly farming for British farmers
Waitrose, a premium grocer with over 350 shops in the UK, and part of Britain's largest employee-owned retailer, the John Lewis Partnership, says it is committing to support more than 2,000 of its British farmers to move to regenerative farming...
Smart reproduction management could boost milk sustainability, farm income
A study has found that dairy producers may reduce milk production’s carbon footprint while boosting revenues if they improve their reproduction management practices.
Slurry bugs help Leprino Foods UK cut emissions, boost forage milk yield
The major mozzarella producer is unleashing a blend of slurry-eating bacteria and fungi that help produce bioactive fertilizer whilst also enhancing soil health.
US recycling laws ‘a growing pain point’ for food producers, says FoodChain ID
With regulators pushing for improved recyclability and reduced packaging waste, how should manufacturers navigate the latest regulations and packaging trends?
Short read
Regenerative grazing for carbon sequestration
Baseline measurements of soil sequestered carbon are enabling one commercial research farm to quantify the impact of its transition to a regenerative grazing system.
‘Unbelievably cynical’: Will there be no exit scheme for Irish dairy?
Ireland has seemingly scrapped proposals to compensate dairy farmers who leave their trade, the ag minister stating there were ‘other options’ to reduce the country's agricultural emissions.
Rural politicians cast doubt on climate targets as they plead: ‘Have faith in our farmers’
MEP candidates from French and Dutch rural parties suggested agrifood producers had been under undue pressure to ‘green up’ their act, but some of their ideas might be too hard for the food industry to swallow.
M&S to help dairy farmers slash methane emissions
M&S, the UK retail group, has announced a £1 million (US$1.3m) investment in altering the diet of pasture-grazed cows within its milk pool to mitigate methane emissions.
Start-up behind methane-eating microbes technology raises $28m
Windfall Bio has secured $28m in venture capital funding from the likes of Amazon, B37 Ventures and more as part of a Series A seed round.
Financed emissions: How sustainability-linked finance can green up agriculture
We chat to dsm-firmenich’s Dr. Heinz Flatnitzer to find out more about financed emissions, offering life cycle assessment platform Sustell to lenders, and how dairy farmers can benefit from sustainability-linked finance.
The path to net zero in dairy: Exploring feed additives, anaerobic digesters, and soil carbon storage
An ING report scrutinizes various strategies aimed at slashing on-farm emissions, spotlighting those garnering significant attention within the dairy industry, while also delving into their potential and cost implications.
Tesco weighs in with cash program for farmers who wish to go green
The UK’s largest supermarket chain will offer cash incentives to farmers who are willing to decarbonize their operations.
B2B partnerships ‘crucial’ to drive down carbon emissions in dairy - ING
FMCGs, retailers and foodservice companies will increasingly look to source products with low environmental footprint, driving dairies’ long-term sustainability commitments at the same time.
Amcor launches recycle-ready packaging for fresh mozzarella
The packaging major says its recyclable packaging could help dairy brands get ready for the upcoming changes in the EU packaging and waste regulation.
Fonterra directors on NZMP Carbon Footprinter: ‘We want to be transparent with our emissions data’
Through a new digital tool, anyone can access and measure the emissions profiles of most New Zealand-sourced dairy ingredients offered by the co-op’s ingredients business, NZMP.
Regenerative ag label to launch in the US
The Soil & Climate Health Initiative (SCI) is launching a new label that represents ‘a holistic, science-based commitment to farming systems’. We speak to MD Adam Kotin to find out more.
How can slurry and silage management improve milk yield, reduce on-farm emissions?
Dairy farmers in the northern hemisphere should start thinking about managing this year’s silage in order to reduce input costs and improve their farm’s environmental footprint, a dairy consultant has said.
Methane suppressing feed additive Bovaer approved for use in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has authorized the use of Bovaer, a feed supplement that can suppress methane emissions from cattle.
‘As many tools as possible’: Danone North America hopes oil-based seaweed product could be a greener option for methane inhibition
The dairy major is supporting a new study into the efficacy of a red seaweed oil extract that could be less carbon-intensive to produce whilst also capable of reducing enteric methane by up to 80%.
Who should support dairy farmers in transitioning to ethical farming systems?
With farmers facing pressures to adopt more sustainable farming practices - or move to a different farming system altogether - who should support producers during their transition? In the UK, the responsibility falls broadly on the shoulders of all...
Methane-reducing feed additive Bovaer secures UK regulatory approval
The feed additive, which can reduce enteric methane emissions from dairy cows by 30% on average, has received market authorization and will be available in England, Wales and Scotland from early 2024.
Nestlé to offer cash payments to Fonterra dairy farmers under net-zero carbon partnership
A new agreement will see Nestlé fund an additional payment to farmers who achieve one of the three levels of Fonterra’s The Co-operative Difference framework during the 2023/24 season.
‘Strikingly low’: FAO condemns ‘diminishing’ funding for agrifood systems amid slow climate change progress
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has warned that funding to support climate-smart agrifood systems is ‘strikingly low’ and has plummeted in the past year despite the growing urgency to stave off climate change.
‘Vital’ that farms prepare for climate change impacts – Kite Consulting
Dairy farm businesses should plan their climate resilience strategy the same way ‘big businesses’ do, in order to tackle the impact of climate risks, a new report published by UK sustainability consultancy Kite Consulting claims.