This is how researchers say
Climate requires fewer rules and more milk money
The setting in dairy farming is the climate, and fewer rules are needed to be able to take steps in that area. However, the performances that are delivered must also be rewarded via the milk money. For example, various researchers revealed at the 'Cow and Climate' symposium of the Dutch Dairy Farmers' Union (NMV).
"Climate and nature-inclusive agriculture. These are the topics that are leading today," says Martin Scholten of Wageningen University. Scholten not only heads a group of researchers involved in livestock farming, but is also involved in the Global Research Alliance. In that capacity, he can state that the Dutch livestock farmer has (unknowingly) already done much more than his colleagues in Asia and Africa.
Intensification worked well
"Through intensification, for example, the greenhouse gas emissions per kilo of milk have already become lower," says Scholten. This is also confirmed by Jerry van Dijk of Utrecht University. On average, the greenhouse gas emissions in 2016 amounted to 1,15 per kilo of product. "It's not just good news, because the combination of increased livestock and slightly lower efficiency has increased emissions overall."
Then there are 2 solutions: improving quality on the farm or keeping less livestock. "If production remains the same, emissions must be reduced from 1,15 kilos to 0,98 kilos of CO2 equivalents per kilo of milk. That is almost twice as many as in the last 2 years," says Van Dijk. One problem he immediately touches on is the valuation of the milk. "That price has hardly changed in recent years and that makes a different approach and valuing the environmental performance necessary."
Too many rules
However, it is not easy to change it, because here the rules often seem to get in the way. The researcher from Utrecht, for example, mentions a project with pigs walking in the forest. "However, the rules are designed for pigs in stables. How do you place an air scrubber in the forest?" Intensification should be abandoned in dairy farming, but then the other parties must also join in (eg the bank and the government).
Van Dijk also mentions Origine Green, the Irish brand in which government, farmers, catering and other parties work together. This works without rules, but by actively supporting sustainability, the greenhouse gas emissions went from 1 to 1,18 kilos of CO1,14 equivalents per kilo of milk in 2 year.
Scholten argues that if livestock farmers do not improve quality, less livestock will become the new reality. He states this on the basis of the sounds from politics. The soil, the cow and the manure. They are all parts where profit can be made. "You can ask the question whether we still need the slurry pit, or whether we should 'harvest' right away."
Not 1 solution
The panel discussion shows that there is more than 1 way to tackle emissions. Independent researcher Anton Nigten, for example, indicates that 'feeding differently' is the key to lower gas emissions. "A 100% healthy cow does not lead to loss." Solving the lack of magnesium already has a positive effect. The SGP and D66 also show enthusiasm for research into which rules hinder innovation and whether something can be done about it.
Henk van der Wind, a dairy farmer from Maarsbergen (Utrecht), calls on politicians to distance themselves from the agenda of less livestock. "This gives a negative image, while positivity can be derived from it." With which Van der Wind immediately indicates that there is certainly the will to do something for the climate, but that help is needed. Fewer rules and better rewards for milk, are the researchers' advice.
Herman van den Pol
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.