REDUCING METHANE EMISSIONS
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The impact of trace mineral source on the carbon footprint of dairy feed production

Important to know...

Figure 1: greenhouse gas emissions of a dairy farm expressed as percentage of the total emission of a farm. 27% of methane produced on a dairy farm is related toon farm supply sources.

Dairy feed manufacturers are trying to reduce the carbon footprint of feed they produce for dairy farms

It should be no secret that a major push is underway within the dairy industry to develop products, programs and practices that will significantly reduce the CO2eq emissions of dairy cattle. While much progress has been achieved, there is still a long way to go to achieve the objectives that various governmental and consumer groups have established as obtainable targets for the carbon footprint of a dairy farm per kg of milk produced. One key finding that has emerged from this journey is that it is highly unlikely that any one product, program or practice will, by itself achieve the targeted CO2eq reduction objectives that have been set for dairy farmers. Rather, the quest to achieve a significant reduction of CO2eq emissions from dairy cows will need to be a group endeavor, with several products, programs and practices contributing to a successful outcome. Reports indicate that 27% of the total carbon footprint of a dairy farm are emissions from on-farm supply sources, including emissions from the production of feed supplied to the dairy farm (see Figure 1). Therefore, beyond the need to lower the carbon footprint of the dairy cow is the growing need of premixers and feed compounders to provide dairy producers with a total CO2eq number for the feed they are sellin.

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How can the carbon footprint of a dairy feed ingredient be calculated?

To assist producers of dairy feed with calculating the CO2eq emissions resulting from producing the ingredients they use within their feed, NGO and industry groups have agreed on a set of guidelines that must be used to calculate the CO2eq number of ingredients used in dairy feed. At the heart of this evaluation is a tool referred to as a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The LCA is a comprehensive template that must be completed for each proposed ingredient. Following the completion of the LCA, an independent review must be performed to ensure that the development of the LCA was completed in accordance with all approved guidelines (ISO 14040 and 14044 statues). If the information is assessed to be correct, the LCA’s outcome will be verified, providing dairy feed producers with an independent verification on the CO2eq number of a particular ingredient they use in their dariy feeds.

The LCA for the production of Selko IntelliBond

Having this number in hand allows dairy nutritionists and dairy feed producers to effectively evaluate the individual CO2eq impact of various ingredients being added to the blend, with the objective of lower the blend’s total. Having this number in hand allows dairy nutritionists and producers to effectively evaluate the individual CO2eq impact of various ingredients being added to the blend, with the objective of lower the blend’s total CO2eq, while maintaining its nutritional requirements. To assist with this growing need, an LCA which identifies the carbon footprint for each of Selko IntelliBond’s individual products was completed recently (See Figure 2). These values are specific to the Selko IntelliBond manufacturing process and will be of value to feed compounders and premixer that are working to reduce the carbon footprint of the dairy feeds they supply to dairy farmers.


Selko product CO2eq / Mt Product CO2eq / Kg Metal % Metal
Selko IntelliBond C 2.37 Mt 4.39 Kg 54%
Selko IntelliBond Z 1.94 Mt 3.46 Kg 56%
Selko IntelliBond M 2.53 Mt 5.75 Kg 44%

Figure 2, CO2 equivalents per metric ton of Selko IntelliBond produced and per kg of metal for Selko IntelliBond C, Selko IntelliBond Z and Selko IntelliBond M.

Conclusion

The journey towards reaching the targets set for the dairy industry by governments, consumer groups and by dairy milk processors will not be an easy journey. A holistic approach will be required, which should include the use of dairy feed that has been produced with a minimal carbon footprint. The LCA for the 3 Selko IntelliBond products will provide producers of dairy feed with an independent verification on the CO2eq number of the trace mineral source they use in their dairy feeds.

Find out more about sustainable dairy farming...