A tool that demonstrates UK supply chain’s progress towards net zero is yielding positive results and underlines the sector’s commitment to producing milk sustainably.
TEXT KAREN WRIGHT
An initiative designed to demonstrate continuous improvement in environmental sustainability throughout the dairy supply chain is proving its worth 16 years down the line. Established in 2008, the Dairy Roadmap, led by AHDB, Dairy UK and the NFU, sets ambitious targets for environmental improvements within the industry. And these targets for water, climate change and energy, waste and recycling, soils, biodiversity and air quality are developed in line with the latest scientific research.
Data collated and analysed through the Dairy Roadmap highlights current trends and the direction of travel in key areas relating to the industry’s environmental sustainability.
“Our aim is to ensure that we are accountable not only to our supply chain, the public and policy makers, but also to ourselves,” says Emma Gregson, Dairy UK’s environment manager and secretariat of the Dairy Roadmap. “The tool’s strength is in its collaborative approach, working throughout the dairy supply chain to coordinate effective and evidence-led action on sustainability.”
Data and targets set by the Roadmap have helped UK dairy processors achieve a 20% improvement in primary energy efficiency and a 20% increase in water efficiency from 2008 to 2023. Production-efficiency gains at farm level have resulted in a 22% decrease in the emissions from producing a litre of milk from 1990 to 2023.
Impressive progress
“There has been some really impressive progress made by the industry in recent years,” adds Dr Gregson. “The Roadmap has been, and continues to be, a valuable initiative for the sector in demonstrating the progress in key parameters affecting its environmental impact, and for individuals to set new targets year on year.”
The Roadmap is expanding its data collection processes at the milk production end of the chain, so it can also demonstrate progress at farm level, and set achievable targets in the journey towards achieving net zero.
“To do this, we need accurate and reliable evidence to support trends and targets,” says AHDB’s Nic Parsons.
“We are fortunate that within the UK dairy industry key health and welfare-related data is captured through milk recording that can demonstrate this progress.”
The Dairy Roadmap collaborates with milk recording organisations, including NMR. Its data includes vital parameters that reflect key components of the cow’s carbon footprint and its environmental sustainability.
Milk recording: data captured is invaluable
Herd records
“We now have animal health and welfare metrics for more than 5,000 anonymised herds, making this the single largest database of dairy herd records in the UK,” says Mr Parsons. “This has been a significant step forward for the Roadmap, and the improved detail in our analyses provides more accurate trends that reflect the positive direction of travel in the industry.”
The Dairy Roadmap has gathered positive support across the industry. “It shows the willingness to collaborate to highlight progress that is being made and to work on industry targets that all stakeholders are able to pursue,” he adds. “It means we can demonstrate a united front to all external stakeholders with an interest in dairy sustainability.”
While the trends and progress are of interest to producers and are useful tools for seeing where their own herd and business sits relative to the country’s average, the benefits go well beyond this.
Wider audience
The Roadmap is a tool for demonstrating to a wider audience, including government, retailers, consumers and the general public, that the whole dairy chain is improving its environmental impact in line with recognised targets.
“We want to build on the UK dairy industry’s reputation and have evidence, through accurate data, that gives the sector the recognition it deserves. Each business within the processing and production sectors must know where they are and where they are going,” says Mr Parsons.
“The Dairy Roadmap is a positive move. Producers who are milk recording and using the data to monitor and manage improvements in their business are also helping to secure the long-term reputation of the dairy industry.”
The UK dairy sector’s environmental credentials are under increasing scrutiny, but it has every reason to be proud of the progress made. By engaging with milk recording, producers are helping to highlight this progress,” he adds.
“With continued industry support, the Dairy Roadmap can demonstrate the continuous improvements in our supply chain.”
Roadmap offers third-party evidence
The Dairy Roadmap provides vital third-party evidence of the progress being made by the UK dairy sector. NMR milk records around 50% of UK dairy cows and, through monitoring key parameters, the industry has seen great progress in improving technical efficiency.
“For example, NMR data published in the 500-herd report, shows that 70% of Holstein herds had a SCC below 200,000 cell/ml for the year ending August 2023 – an improvement from 44% in 2010,” says NMR’s Ben Bartlett. “NMR will continue to work with the Dairy Roadmap to help demonstrate the positive progress made by recorded herds.”
“A lot of work goes into driving towards net-zero targets at Arla, on our farms, and within the wider industry,” adds Arla Foods UK’s Paul Dover. “By measuring and reflecting these impacts, the Dairy Roadmap helps to justify the effort and investment by showing the hard-won results. “The data means we can demonstrate to regulators and consumers that we are working towards creating a more sustainable industry, and this will give them the confidence to continue to choose dairy.”
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