Dairy Farmers of America, the nation’s largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative with headquarters in Kansas City, Kan., announced its commitment to reduce direct and value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2031. The cooperative’s goal has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which supports the Paris Agreement’s broader goal to keep global warming below 2°C. DFA’s target also aligns with the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy’s goal for the U.S. dairy industry to become carbon neutral before 2050.
DFA says it will work to reduce emissions on farms, in processing plants, and on the road. Strategies to reach this goal include mitigating methane emissions from cows by supporting advances in feed efficiency, herd nutrition, and feed additives; using renewable energy on farms and in processing plants; capturing emissions through healthy soils and crops; and creating transportation and hauling efficiencies to reduce emissions.
