Dairygold launches sustainability training programme designed to identify pathway to on-farm carbon reduction targets
Dairygold held the first module in its farm sustainability training programme last week for its 10 signpost farmers, to equip them with the skills and knowledge to help them achieve Dairygold’s 2030 carbon reduction target.
In 2020, Dairygold became the first co-operative in Ireland to define its ambition to achieve carbon reduction on the farm by committing to an average farm carbon intensity target of 0.7Kg CO2(e)/ Kg FPCM in 2030. The co-op now provides every milk supplier with a measure of their individual farm’s carbon footprint, in an effort to drive a society-wide initiative to achieve the carbon reduction target.
The aim of the sustainability training programme is to equip the 10 signpost farmers with additional knowledge, skills and practical competencies to achieve carbon reduction targets. The 10 signpost farmers will be the agents of change for the wider Dairygold milk supplier base, where the successful measures implemented on their farms can be replicated across the society’s Munster based catchment area.
The training programme modules will cover the five key pillars of the Signpost Farms Programme – reducing agricultural emissions, improving water course quality, managing and improving on farm biodiversity, improving the economic sustainability of the farm enterprise and also the measurement of carbon sequestration.
CHAMPIONING CHANGE
Dairygold CEO Jim Woulfe said sustainability is not just a policy for the co-op.
“It is a culture that is engrained throughout our entire organisation,” he said. “We need to act on the facts and the research that exist demonstrating how much of a threat climate change is to Dairygold and our industry. Our sustainability training programme is just one of the many ways we, as a Society, are championing change throughout the industry.
“We have set ambitious targets to reduce our environmental impact. In 2020, Dairygold led the way in providing milk suppliers with their farm’s carbon footprint number on their monthly milk statements,” he added. “Dairygold is fully committed to driving forward this positive change to ensure the sustainability, profitability and longevity of the dairy industry in Ireland.”
SUSTAINABILITY DRIVE
The Signpost Programme, which is an initiative led by Teagasc in conjunction with business entities, is aimed at supporting climate action by Irish farmers, with the overall goal of reducing gaseous emissions from Irish agriculture, while also creating more profitable and sustainable farming enterprises. Central to this programme is a network of Signpost farms.
Profit and sustainability can go hand in hand, said Dairygold chairman John O’Gorman.
“Through efficient production farm profitability can be achieved, while protecting the planet for the benefit of all. That is what sustainability is about, the appropriate balance between people, planet and profit. We understand the changes to be made need to make environmental sense, as well as economic sense.
“In 2019 the Dairygold Board introduced a Milk Supplier Sustainability Bonus of 0.25cpl to encourage more sustainable milk production by increasing milk solids from a healthy herd, 0.25cpl as an overall available bonus. This is a demonstration of Dairygold’s commitment to lead the way in the sector’s sustainability drive.”