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“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Mike Haddad, chairman of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, shared that proverb during the announcement of the Net Zero Initiative, an industrywide effort aimed to help U.S. dairy farms of all sizes and geographies implement sustainable and economically viable technologies in their operations.
Climate-Smart Solutions
The initiative launched in mid-October and has become a critical component of U.S. dairy’s environmental stewardship goals. Its main objectives are to achieve carbon neutrality, optimize water usage and improve water quality by 2050.
“With the entire dairy community at the table – from farmers and cooperatives to processors, household brands and retailers – we’re leveraging U.S. dairy’s innovation, diversity and scale to drive continued environmental progress and create a more sustainable planet for future generations,” Haddad says.
Dairy producers are doing their part. “We want to be at the table, testing new practices and accessing innovative technology to go further, faster. Because in the end, we all want a healthy planet for our families and our children,” says Tara Vander Dussen, a New Mexico producer.
Taking a Leadership Stance
In 2008, U.S. dairy was the first agricultural sector to commission a life cycle assessment on fluid milk, which showed dairy accounts for 2% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Other sectors of agriculture are referencing the dairy industry as they, too, work to become more sustainable.
“I think all of agriculture is having these types of conversations,” says Krysta Harden, executive vice president of global environmental strategy at Dairy Management Inc.
While the Net Zero Initiative is currently specific to the dairy industry, she believes other ag industries can benefit from the initiative.
“All farmers are leaders,” Harden says. “They’re passionate first adopters, and they’re adapting to how the world is changing.”
While the Net Zero Initiative is ambitious, it’s doable, Haddad says. “Evidence from dairy’s existing best practices tells us we can get to net zero. This is not only good for dairy farmers, but also for all businesses that serve dairy and the millions of people who enjoy dairy.”
