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.
Business General Manager
Alltech E-CO2
In modern agriculture, where concerns about environmental sustainability and profitability intersect, assessing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has become paramount. Understanding the sources and implications of GHGs allows farmers to identify areas for improvement, optimize resource use, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
In this article, we will delve into:
• the importance of assessing GHGs
• the various emissions experienced on farms
• the methodologies used
• the impact of these assessments across the supply chain
ALLTECH’S WORKING TOGETHER FOR A PLANET OF PLENTY™ VISION
Alltech’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond mere emissions reduction. It’s part of Alltech’s vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty, in which natural resources are preserved and agricultural practices nourish both people and the planet. This major initiative addresses such crucial issues as climate change mitigation and food security for a growing global population.
Alltech’s comprehensive approach to enhancing efficiency and sustainability encompasses a broad spectrum of solutions and services. Alltech E-CO2, founded in 2009 and acquired by Alltech in 2015, is an integral cog in this approach. Its innovative technologies and methodologies strongly support sustainability on-farm and across the supply chain. By enabling farmers to assess and reduce their carbon footprint, E-CO2 contributes to the larger objective of creating a more sustainable and regenerative agricultural sector.
Alltech E-CO2 serves a diverse range of customers globally, from individual farms to multinational organizations.
Alltech E-CO2 has conducted more than 20,000 on-farm and remote assessments around the world, developing assessment models for crops and all major livestock species.
Alltech E-CO2’s certified environmental assessments provide a wealth of in-depth data on:
• productivity
• health
• feed quality
• fertilizer
• nitrogen balance
• water, energy and resource use
The data collected is used to deliver practical on-farm 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 innovation. Alltech E-CO2’s solutions have been instrumental in helping our customers optimize their operations while reducing environmental footprint,” said Emma Garlick, key account leader at Alltech E-CO2.
MANAGING SUSTAINABILITY IN A DAIRY SUPPLY CHAIN
Alltech E-CO2 provides not only information on emissions reduction but also support for performance improvements. Below is an example of an Alltech E-CO2 customer experience.
Meadow is a value-added ingredient business specializing in the dairy, confectionery, ice cream, prepared foods and plant-based industries. Meadow’s close relationship with its 500 U.K. farmers is key to guaranteeing a stable and secure supply of high-quality dairy ingredients for the world’s best brands, 24/7, 365 days a year. Meadow prides itself on fair prices, being easy to deal with, and supporting farmers to build and run stronger businesses through hands-on advice regarding sustainable, resilient and efficient farming.
“Our partnership with Alltech E-CO2 allows us to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable dairy by accurately collecting production information from our supplying dairy farms, via on-farm visits, and then verifying this data by using the Carbon Trust certified E-CO2 model,” said Jonathan Evans, head of farms at Meadow. “The Alltech E-CO2 team creates individual reports for producers, with actionable recommendations and identification of trends across our milk pool. This helps to improve on-farm efficiency and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions.”
TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES
Assessing GHG emissions, and better understanding your carbon footprint, should be viewed as more than just a matter of compliance; it also opens multiple opportunities for enhancing efficiency, profitability and sustainability.
Alltech’s Working Together for a Planet of Plenty vision inspires innovation and collaboration across the agricultural supply chain. Through partnerships with farmers, industry stakeholders and policymakers, Alltech is fostering a holistic approach to sustainability that addresses not only GHG emissions and carbon footprint but also soil health, biodiversity and water conservation.
With innovative solutions and expertise from companies like Alltech, farmers, feed producers and the wider feed supply chain can more easily navigate the increasingly complex landscape of sustainability, driving positive change for generations to come.
About Ben Braou
With a background in Biosciences and Science Communication Ben Braou joined Alltech to help drive environmental programmes and initiatives, including a partnership with UK footprint provider E-CO2. In 2015, E-CO2 was acquired by Alltech with Braou moving across as Business General Manager to increase internal and customer synergies and drive global growth. Ben has extensive experience working with international customers ranging from individual farmers to global retailers.
Since 2015, Alltech E-CO2 has continued to pioneer environmental footprinting within the feed and food supply chain and now operates in over 30 countries with a diverse range of services including footprinting for crops, livestock, and processing.
