Nestle's Pursuit of Greener Dairy
Nestlé collaborates with various stakeholders, including farmers, suppliers, universities, industry organizations, start-ups, and local governments, to explore and implement agricultural solutions and technologies for dairy livestock. One area of research focuses on feed supplements to reduce methane emissions fr om enteric fermentation during the cow's digestion process, a significant source of emissions in milk production.
In the United States, Nestlé supports research on the effectiveness and safety aspects of feed supplements to lower methane emissions. Additionally, the company works with farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices, like using cover crops and organic fertilizers, to produce feed with reduced emissions. These practices enhance soil quality and promote carbon capture.
Nestlé also assists farmers in determining the exact amount of feed required by cows, reducing overfeeding and waste. Better manure management is another approach to minimize dairy farm emissions, wh ere cow manure is separated into liquids and solids, with solids composted and returned to the soil and liquid used in irrigation.
The company is involved in over 100 climate projects worldwide, where farmers plant trees on pastures, practice silvopasture, rotate grazing lands, collect and store manure, and adopt renewable energy sources. In different regions, Nestlé works with dairy farmers to implement animal-friendly housing systems, cover cropping, water conservation practices, and renewable energy adoption.
The Institute of Agricultural Sciences, recently established by Nestlé, conducts research to reduce emissions while considering milk's nutritional quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and animal welfare. All new technologies and approaches are evaluated on various research farms before being scaled up, ensuring operational feasibility and economic viability for farmers.
Recognizing the uniqueness of each farm's environment, crops, livestock, and other factors, Nestlé acknowledges that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Implementing solutions to reduce dairy emissions is a vital part of Nestlé's commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Link to the source: https://www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz/dairy-news/dairy-world-news/nestle-s-mission-to-cut-emissions
