U.S. dairy farmers have a long history of leading sustainability improvements across the dairy supply chain. Innovation and sustainability stewardship has always been a part of their lives and family businesses. Over the past seven decades, U.S. dairy farmers have supplied 60% more milk while concurrently reducing their absolute carbon footprint by 40%. Their innovation and investment have led the dairy industry’s ability to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, from farm to manufacturer, down to just 2% of the total U.S. GHG emissions — all while providing and serving the health, wellness and nutritional needs of a growing global population. A 2007 Journal of Animal Science study confirmed that dating back to 1944, dairy farmers’ ongoing investments in efficiencies, recycling, renewable energy and other sustainability practices allowed them to produce each gallon of milk with 90% less land, 65% less water and a 63% smaller carbon footprint. A 2019 Journal of Animal Science study confirmed that this progress continued between 2007 and 2017, with the environmental impact of producing a gallon of nutritious milk with a further reduction of 21% less land, 30% less water and the carbon footprint by 19% (Capper and Cady, 2019). Innovative environmental stewardship practices are being used and implemented daily on dairy farms to continue the reduction of on-farm GHG emissions. These initiatives offer tremendous assurances to consumers and stakeholders that dairy has been, and will continue to be, a great partner in delivering climate solutions while also playing a crucial role in providing life-sustaining nutrition to a growing global population. Meanwhile, dairy is in a unique position to help other businesses and industries that are unable to immediately reduce their own GHG emissions. When industries outside the dairy value chain purchase carbon credits from U.S. dairy farmers, it provides an important source of funding and revenue diversification. This is turn enables dairy farmers to continue ongoing reinvestment and adoption of sustainable innovations and technological advancements — further advancing the positive cycle of GHG reduction while providing safe and quality nutrition to families around the globe.
Cows definitely need to be part of the solution for our world. The biggest challenge from my perspective with the carbon space is a lack of true measures on operations, rather using a “book” value to create the outcome. Biology is living, so book values don’t work. We need to continue to dig into the science of carbon, not the money. By building a more scientific approach, the dairy industry will gain trust and credibility with consumers.
Great share, Dennis. Thank you!
Sr. Vice President, Chief Government & Industry Relations Officer at Dairy Farmers of America
1yIts critical that the role of agriculture is understood. Dairy is part of the solution - addressing environmental challenges and providing nutrition globally.