SUSTAINABILITY FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2025 65 This article explores how amino acid balancing in dairy cow diets boosts sustainability by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, improving nitrogen efficiency, supporting animal health, and allowing farmers to meet environmental targets while remaining profitable. OPTIMIZING DAIRY SUSTAINABILITY: Amino Acid Balancing Dairy farming is under increasing pressure to align with global climate goals while maintaining profitability. As regulations tighten and environmental concerns rise, innovative feeding strategies offer hope. One such strategy — precision nutrition through amino acid balancing — emerges as a promising solution. Optimizing protein use and replacing high-footprint ingredients enables farms to reduce carbon emissions, improve nitrogen efficiency, and support animal health, all while safeguarding productivity and profitability. THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE Globally, cattle are the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock, generating approximately 3.8 gigatons of CO₂-equivalents annually—over 60% of total livestock emissions. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), global milk production emits on average about 2.1 kg CO₂-equivalent per kg of fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM), with methane (CH₄) being the dominant emission source, followed by CO₂ and nitrous oxide (N₂O). However, these numbers can vary according to region. The Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food found that Flemish dairy farms emit an average of 0.99 kg CO₂-equivalent per kg FPCM, with 44% coming from feed (farm-grown and purchased feed) — more than the 41% from enteric emissions. By Kemin EMENA Ruminant Team Photo: Freepik
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