ISSUE FOCUS 42 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2023 "On going research continues to show that several feed additives have the ability to lower CO2eq emissions based on their proven ability to primarily improve the animal’s feed efficiency. This improvement, coupled with correct ingredient selection within the diet and improved, on farm environmental and management practices can add up to a meaningful reduction in the amount of CO2eq emissions being produced." THE IMPACT OF TRACE MINERALS ON FEED AND PREMIX SUSTAINABILITY Kevin Perryman Global Trace Mineral Program Manager Selko Feed Additives Achieving mandated, animal nutrition sustainability objectives is going to require a team effort by all members of the livestock nutrition supply chain. This effort will require the collective efforts of nutritionists, feed additive companies, ingredient suppliers, feed compounders and producers working together to identify cost effective solutions that will deliver a true reduction in livestock CO2eq emissions. Reports indicate that 27% of the total carbon footprint of a dairy farm are emissions from on-farm supply sources, including emissions from the production of feed supplied to the farm (see Figure 1). FEED ADDITIVES CAN HELP LOWER CO2 EMISSIONS. On going research continues to show that several feed additives have the ability to lower CO2eq emissions based on their proven ability to primarily improve the animal’s feed efficiency. This improvement, coupled with correct ingredient selection within the diet and improved, on farm environmental and management practices can add up to a meaningful reduction in the amount of CO2eq emissions being produced. LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENTS AS A TOOL TO VALIDATE CO2 EMISSION To assist livestock producers with the selection of the correct combination of ingredients, additives, management practices, etc. many well-respected, global organizations (governmental, non-governmental, Universities, etc.) have united to develop a series of internationally accepted guidelines (FAO, LEAP, PEFCR, IPCC and ISO 14040/44) to regulate this process. An important tool that has emerged from this effort has been the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) template. The LCA is an accepted tool that organizes an in-depth review of a product, practice, ingredient, etc. ability to reduce the carbon emissions of livestock under a well-defined set of conditions. HOW DOES A LCA WORK? The LCA must be independently evaluated to en-
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