Wednesday, 14 June 2023 12:55

Nestlé’s mission to cut emissions

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
In the US, Nestlé is facilitating research to assess the efficacy of feed supplements, which have the potential to reduce enteric methane emissions. In the US, Nestlé is facilitating research to assess the efficacy of feed supplements, which have the potential to reduce enteric methane emissions.

The world's second largest dairy company, Nestle, says it is exploring different approaches to reduce dairy's greenhouse gas emissions.

The company says it is working with farmers, suppliers, leading universities, industry organisations, start-ups and local governments to research, test, validate, and scale up different agricultural solutions and technologies, including for dairy livestock.

In a message to mark World Milk Day on June 1, the company noted that one area of research is on feed supplements that can reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation - the cow's digestion process and the largest source of emissions in fresh milk production.

In the United States, for instance, Nestlé is facilitating research to assess the efficacy and the human, animal and environmental health and safety aspects of feed supplements, which have the potential to reduce enteric methane emissions. The second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions on a dairy farm is from the feed for cows, for example, from its production, storage, and disposal.

Nestlé is working with farmers to implement regenerative agriculture practices, such as the introduction of cover crops or more widespread use of organic fertilisers, in the production of feed to cut emissions. Farmers on one of Nestlé’s pilot farms in South Africa, for instance, are growing their own multispecies pasture for animal feed while reducing the use of chemical fertilisers.

“This helps improve soil quality, which enables more carbon capture,” the company says.

The company also supports farmers in calculating exactly how much feed cows need based on factors like weight, age, and gestation period to reduce overfeeding and waste.

“Better manure management will also help reduce dairy farm emissions. In Mexico, cow manure is separated into liquids and solids. The solids are composted and returned to the soil while the liquid is incorporated into the irrigation system.”

In addition to these approaches, Nestlé is working with many more dairy farmers around the world. Through over 100 full-scale climate projects, farmers are planting trees on existing pastures, introducing multiple species on pastures, establishing new pastures in woodlands (silvopasture), rotating the land where cows graze, collecting and storing manure, and adopting more renewable sources of energy.

In Brazil, Nestlé is working with more than 1500 dairy farmers to adopt more animalfriendly housing systems, cover cropping and more renewable sources of energy as well as practices to help conserve water. Nestlé is helping small and medium-sized farmers in Pakistan increase their efficiencies through low-stress housing for animals, farmer capacity building and solar and biogas energy, among others. In Chile, Nestlé is working with farmers to improve pasture yields through multi-species pastures, rotational grazing, and pasture management, while helping them improve nitrogen use efficiency.

Researchers at the company’s recently inaugurated Institute of Agricultural Sciences look for ways to reduce emissions, while considering the nutritional quality of milk, food safety, regulatory compliance, and animal welfare.

Nestle says the effectiveness of new technologies and approaches are evaluated on multiple research farms all over the world. Before being scaled up, they need to prove to be operationally feasible and economically viable for farmers.</p.

“There is no one-sizefits all approach. Different practices and different solutions need to be applied in different combinations depending on an individual farm’s crops, livestock, environment, soil type, and many other factors.

“Solutions to reduce dairy emissions will be essential in Nestlé’s journey to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” it says.

More like this

RIP Kitkat V

OPINION: Another sign that the plant-based dairy fallacy is unravelling and that nothing beats dairy-based products.

Net zero pilot farm success

A net zero pilot dairy farm, set up in Taranaki two years ago to help reduce on-farm emissions, is showing promising results.

Featured

Farmer input needed to combat FE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on livestock farmers to take part in a survey measuring the financial impact of facial eczema (FE).

Editorial: Escaping Trump's wrath

OPINION: President Donald Trump's bizarre hard line approach to the world of what was once 'rules-based trade' has got New Zealand government officials, politicians and exporters on tenterhooks.

Wool pellets to boost gardens

With wool prices steadily declining and shearing costs on the rise, a Waikato couple began looking for a solution for wool from their 80ha farm.

National

Miraka CEO steps down

The chief executive of Taupo-based dairy company, Miraka – Karl Gradon - has stepped down from the role for personal…

Machinery & Products

Bigger but not numb

When you compare a RAM 1500 or Chevrolet Silverado to a Ford Ranger or a Toyota Hilux, you will understand…

Good just got great

Already well respected in the UTV sector for performance, reliability and a competitive price point, CFMOTO has upped the ante…

Nedap NZ launch

Livestock management tech company Nedap has launched Nedap New Zealand.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

O Canada

OPINION: Donald Trump's focus on Canada is causing concern for the country’s dairy farmers.

Plant-based fad

OPINION: The fact that plant-based dairy is struggling to gain a market foothold isn’t deterring new entrants.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter