DFC LAUNCHES NEW GUIDE FULL OF BUSINESSFRIENDLY STEWARDSHIP IDEAS

AT THE ANNUAL POLICY CONFERENCE earlier this spring, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) unveiled a new 44-page guidebook designed to help farmers learn about on-farm practices they can implement to drive further progress on sustainability on their farms.

The Best Management Practices Guide to Mitigate Emissions on Dairy Farms (BMP guide) outlines 30 innovative, practical solutions farmers can implement to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration.

Data shows that consumers increasingly covet products with a strong track record on sustainability, and the Blue Cow Quality Milk logo can help them identify dairy products that meet those high environmental standards.

The guide provides dairy farmers with the appropriate tools and examples of what they can do to ensure Canadian dairy remains a staple for consumers for generations to come.

It is a key part of DFC’s sustainability strategy, as farm-level solutions will play a key role toward helping the sector reach Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

HELPING FARMERS ADAPT TO THE “NEW NORMAL”

As extreme weather events become more common, farmers are seeing the impacts of climate change first-hand. From droughts and floods to wildfires and storms, extreme weather is having a real impact on farms. Reducing GHG emissions helps Canada reach our shared objective of lessening the impacts of extreme weather events, while conservation practices can increase a farm’s ability to be resilient to their effects when they do occur. The Best Management Practices Guide is full of suggestions to help today’s farmers preserve and maintain the resources they rely on for necessities, such as crops and water for animals.

Moreover, market research shows that consumers’ values are evolving. Environmental sustainability ranks higher with dairy’s consumer base than ever before, and as millennials and Gen-Zs become heads of their households this trend will only continue. At every stage in the supply chain from processors to suppliers to consumers at their local grocery store – research shows that more people are weighing the impact a food has on the environment before choosing.

Fortunately, many of the initiatives required to address these challenges are well underway, since dairy farmers have a long legacy of progress on sustainability. Our BMP guide will help them confront consumer concerns head-on, but in a way that’s sensitive to the bottom line – because what’s good for the environment, good for the herd, and good for business go hand-in-hand-in-hand.

A PRACTICAL, BUSINESS-FRIENDLY APPROACH TO STEWARDSHIP

The recommendations found in the BMP guide build on the innovative nature of dairy farming and the sector’s commitment to continuous improvement. The booklet also describes the potential economic benefits associated with each one, as many of the BMPs provide opportunities for cost savings some even produce new revenue streams. Examples include improving feed efficiencies, and generating green energy and selling that energy back to provincial grids.

The BMPs are organized according to five categories: Livestock Management; Feed Management; Manure Management; and Energy, Infrastructure and Transportation; and Land Management

The guide reflects the feedback and concerns we received from dairy farmers in every region across Canada. Dairy farmers had a direct impact on the final document and their feedback will continue guiding further research into the effects on the BMPs.

Dfc Is Here To Support Farmers

Working toward Net-Zero demonstrates that the sector will continue to be part of the solutions to tackle climate change and ensure Canadians can continue enjoying dairy products made with 100 per cent Canadian milk for generations to come. Of course, no one knows the work behind this milk and what will work on an individual farm better than dairy farmers themselves.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and farmers must have the flexibility to run their operations as they see fit. Every action that can be taken to reduce our carbon footprint as a sector preserves the popularity of our product among consumers, who will see farmers as strong partners in the economy of tomorrow.

The wide range of BMPs available ensure we can help farmers choose and implement solutions that work for the environment and their business. DFC hopes to arm farmers to better address some of the challenges and pressures facing the dairy sector and show consumers that high Canadian standards encompass all of their concerns.

Download the Net Zero by 2050 Best Management Practices Guide to Mitigate Emissions on Dairy Farms guide here: https://dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/en/farmerresources

With demand for high-quality, animal-sourced protein increasing globally, the dairy sector is well positioned to contribute to a sustainable food system without compromising dairy’s nutrition or farmers’ livelihoods. The global dairy sector is strongly committed to climate action and shares evidencebased knowledge vital to dialogue with international organizations. Through these international relations we have tremendous opportunities to engage with respected scientists, academics, and other dairy organizations with expertise that complements our work at DFO. This multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration is essential for strengthening consensus-building and continuous improvement. The dairy sector has the ability to bring its sustainability goals to life and they can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, research, and continuous improvement.

― BITA FARHANG, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO