Tesco Advances Carbon Reduction with Methane-Reducing Feed Trial at Grosvenor Farms
Source: The DairyNews
Tesco, in collaboration with Grosvenor Farms, has launched a trial of a methane-reducing feed supplement, Bovaer, to lessen the environmental impact of dairy production.
Grosvenor Farms, a leading member of the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG), is trialing this innovative feed additive on 400 cows, aiming to curb methane emissions significantly. Developed by dsm-firmenich, Bovaer has been proven to reduce methane emissions by up to 30%.
Environmental and Commercial Implications:
The trial underscores Tesco's commitment to fostering a low-carbon agricultural sector. The introduction of Bovaer into the cows' diet could reduce each animal's carbon footprint by approximately 1.3 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. If successful, this trial could pave the way for a 12% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across Grosvenor Farms, aligning with their goal to achieve carbon net zero in milk production by 2030.
Strategic Impact on Sustainability:
Mark Roach, Managing Director at Grosvenor Farms, emphasized the dual benefits of environmental and commercial sustainability. The farm is already recognized for its low carbon footprint in UK milk production, and this initiative is a step further towards enhancing soil health, eliminating pollution, and recycling waste more effectively.
Sector-Wide Influence:
Natalie Smith, Head of Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries at Tesco, highlighted the company's ongoing efforts in pioneering sustainable practices in agriculture. The success of this trial could lead to broader implementation of Bovaer across the TSDG network, which encompasses over 400 British dairy farmers who benefit from Tesco's cost of production+ model. This model ensures they receive a fair and stable price for their milk, significantly above market rates.
Environmental and Commercial Implications:
The trial underscores Tesco's commitment to fostering a low-carbon agricultural sector. The introduction of Bovaer into the cows' diet could reduce each animal's carbon footprint by approximately 1.3 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. If successful, this trial could pave the way for a 12% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across Grosvenor Farms, aligning with their goal to achieve carbon net zero in milk production by 2030.
Strategic Impact on Sustainability:
Mark Roach, Managing Director at Grosvenor Farms, emphasized the dual benefits of environmental and commercial sustainability. The farm is already recognized for its low carbon footprint in UK milk production, and this initiative is a step further towards enhancing soil health, eliminating pollution, and recycling waste more effectively.
Sector-Wide Influence:
Natalie Smith, Head of Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries at Tesco, highlighted the company's ongoing efforts in pioneering sustainable practices in agriculture. The success of this trial could lead to broader implementation of Bovaer across the TSDG network, which encompasses over 400 British dairy farmers who benefit from Tesco's cost of production+ model. This model ensures they receive a fair and stable price for their milk, significantly above market rates.
