ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2024 29 • feed quality • fertilizer • nitrogen balance • water, energy and resource use The data collected is used to deliver practical onfarm and online programs, as well as benchmark reporting, with clear, concise and customized advice on lowering carbon emissions. WHY ASSESS GREENHOUSE GASES? Greenhouse gases serve as crucial indicators of waste in agricultural systems. Assessing GHGs allows farmers to pinpoint hotspots and trade-offs within their operations, facilitating efficiency improvements. By understanding the interdependency of variables such as feed cultivation and utilization, energy consumption and waste management, farmers can make informed decisions that resonate throughout the supply chain, ultimately enhancing sustainability and economic viability. GHG emissions on-farm stem from multiple sources, including fossil fuel use, enteric fermentation and manure management. These emissions occur through various pathways, such as direct emissions from livestock and indirect emissions from the use of fertilizers and machinery. Additionally, embedded emissions from pre-farm processes, including the production and transportation of inputs like feed and fertilizers, further contribute to the overall carbon footprint of agriculture. Alltech E-CO2 has launched the Feeds EA™ (environmental assessment) model, helping producers and feed manufacturers worldwide measure and lower the carbon footprint of their feed. Feeds EA measures the environmental impact of feed production at the feed mill level by assessing the impacts of existing compounds or blends. This is determined by calculating GHG emissions from production, cultivation, processing, energy utilization and transportation in the manufacturing of the feed. Feeds EA can calculate emissions from a database of more than 600 ingredients, including raw materials, soy products, byproducts and additives. Alltech E-CO2 works throughout the entire agricultural supply chain, offering pioneering farm assessment services, bespoke software solutions, environmental consultancy, and farm and feed scenario modeling. Methodologies such as PAS:2050 and ISO 14067, certified by third-party assessors like the Carbon Trust, provide comprehensive GHG assessments tailored to the needs of specific clients. Our environmental assessment models cover all major ruminant and monogastric species, with over 25,000 assessments conducted worldwide, across more than 30 countries. Our team comprises experts in agriculture, environmental science and data analysis, dedicated to providing actionable insights for sustainable agricultural practices. “Assessing GHG emissions is not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it’s about identifying opportunities for improvement and innova-
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