Thursday, 18 February 2021 09:55

Pasture-based farming helps keep carbon footprint low

Written by  Staff Reporters
Fonterra says that pasture-based farming is what has kept the New Zealand dairy industry's footprint low. Fonterra says that pasture-based farming is what has kept the New Zealand dairy industry's footprint low.

Fonterra says new analysis showing New Zealand dairy farms having the lowest carbon footprint in the world is a result of the country’s unique pasture-based farming.

Fonterra director of on-farm excellence, Charlotte Rutherford, says it also reflects the hard graft of the co-operative’s farmer shareholders.

“Which as an employee of the co-op makes me feel pretty proud,” says Rutherford.

 “We’ve seen consumers become increasingly interested in the carbon footprint of their products, and today’s report confirms we’re well placed to meet people’s desire for food that’s kinder to the planet.

“We know more needs to be done to keep improving and we’re up for the challenge.”

Innovation is a key part of the co-op’s strategy and it has multiple partnerships to develop the tools and solutions needed to support farmers, particularly in areas where they face tough challenges, such as reducing methane emissions.

“One of the keys to helping guide farmers to continuously improve is ensuring they understand their emissions profiles,” she says.

 “Last year, all our farmers received a greenhouse gas emission report specific to their farms. It’s a very practical step toward helping New Zealand meet climate change commitments.”

But finding a solution requires more than just hard graft from the co-op’s farmers and solutions like Kowbucha, seaweed and feed additives are being investigated for potential breakthroughs in reducing emissions from cows. Fonterra has also teamed up with Nestlé and DairyNZ to expand a promising plantain trial to help improve waterways and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The report from AgResearch, commissioned by DairyNZ compares New Zealand with 17 other countries.  It confirms our footprint is 70% lower than the global average and 46% lower than the average of other countries in the study, which includes all major milk producers.

More like this

Fonterra vote

OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

Editorial: A new era for two co-ops

OPINION: Farmer shareholders of two of New Zealand's largest co-operatives have an important decision to make this month and what they decide could change the landscape of the dairy and meat sectors in New Zealand.

Featured

Farewell Jim

In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Fonterra vote

OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.

Follow the police beat

OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter