McDonald\u2019s UK announced the results of one of the largest ever independent carbon studies carried out with UK and Irish beef farms, based on over 1300 carbon assessments. Launched by McDonald\u2019s UK Supply Chain Director Connor McVeigh at the 2016 NFU conference, the report identifies simple measures that can help beef farmers achieve the 11% voluntary carbon reduction target set by UK government for 2020.<\/p>\n
Funded by McDonald\u2019s UK as part of its Farm Forward programme and conducted by environmental consultants Alltech E-CO2, the independent study reveals that on average beef farmers in the study have reduced their carbon footprint by 4.6% a year by making small day to day changes to the way they run their businesses \u2013 more than four times the current industry benchmark of 0.94%. Farmers who participated in the study reduced their carbon footprint by nearly a quarter (23%) over six years and identified annual cost savings of up to \u00a323,000.<\/p>\n
The report outlines six key recommendations for all farm types that can help beef farmers realise these potential savings, as well as a more detailed analysis for different farm types and systems:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Measure and monitor your farm operation to track performance \u2013 From feed use per animal to fertiliser usage and sales weight, data trends can help to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
\n\u2022 Benchmark performance against others in your sector \u2013 Benchmarking against others can help farmers to review their operations, identify which parts of their enterprise they could adjust to improve efficiency, and set targets.
\n\u2022 Focus on daily live weight gain to reduce emissions \u2013 On a typical beef farm the majority of carbon emissions come from the animals. Daily live weight gain is important because the shorter the time the cattle are on the farm the less carbon is produced.
\n\u2022 Monitor and improve animal health \u2013 Closer monitoring of animal health not only safeguards the welfare of the herd, it also reduces calf mortality and leads to increased farm productivity to offset the carbon emissions of the enterprise.
\n\u2022 Maximise homegrown forage \u2013 Direct emissions from feed production represent a high proportion of farm carbon emissions. By using home-grown forage farms have the opportunity to increase their feed conversion efficiency.
\n\u2022 Reduce calving interval \u2013 Farmers should breed for fertility in suckler herds, ensure close heat management and look to achieve the optimum age at first calving to reduce total methane emissions during the heifer rearing phase.<\/p>\n
Connor McVeigh, Supply Chain Director, McDonald\u2019s UK commented: \u201cCarbon reduction targets have been in place for some time and we know farmers are under growing pressure to meet them. The question has been what practical steps can we as an industry take to drive these improvements?<\/p>\n
\u201cAs one of the biggest customers of British and Irish farming, we want to help the sector meet these challenges and thrive in the future. That\u2019s why we commissioned one of the largest ever independent carbon studies carried out directly with beef farmers in the UK and Ireland to provide practical advice and guidance that can help farmers to become more sustainable and profitable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr John Kazer, The Carbon Trust said: \u201cOne of the greatest challenges in addressing the greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture is access to data and information on farm that can help make these improvements. Investment like this from McDonald\u2019s is helping the industry define what best practice looks like, developing a practical, credible programme that helps farmers to see how making emission reductions can align with better enterprise management and financial results.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andy Foot, a progressive beef farmer from Dorset stated: \u201cDuring the study we made a significant reduction to our emissions, and as a result our carbon footprint is well below the average for our beef production system, making us not only more efficient but crucially more profitable. The most important thing for me has been seeing how critical monitoring and evaluating farm efficiency are. For us, this means weighing animals regularly, as well as recording feed, water, electricity, fuel and fertiliser usage.\u201d<\/p>\n
This report is just the latest step in McDonald\u2019s commitment to a sustainable future for British and Irish farmers. Since 2008 McDonald\u2019s UK has invested over \u00a31million to help beef farmers run more efficient and environmentally-friendly farm businesses, including the launch of the \u2018What If?\u2019 tool in 2013.<\/p>\n
McDonald\u2019s has also introduced Sustainable Beef Clubs, free sessions on farm at which beef farmers from across the UK and Ireland are invited to share their knowledge and experiences and gain access to expert consultancy and the latest research.<\/p>\n