Data, tech and collaboration come together for new solutions

Reducing food loss and waste, from farmer to consumer, makes for a more sustainable sector.

Making the most of our resources is a great way to improve the sustainability of all human activities – including our food systems.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 14 per cent of the world’s food is lost after harvest (during production) and a further 17 per cent is wasted in retail and by consumers.

Food loss and waste by 2030 is target 11.5 in the Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework. This is aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 – responsible consumption and production, and specifically target 12.3 of halving global food waste.

International days highlight food waste and loss

September 29 is International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, and October 16 is World Food Day. They aim to promote the importance of not only ensuring access to nutritious food, but also making sure what gets produced is not wasted.

Watch ‘the real cost of food’ from FAO.

Did you know? Food loss and waste account for 8-10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Dairy sector targets food waste

A food waste action plan is nearing completion for Australia’s dairy sector, to support the National and industry target of halving food waste by 2030. Industry stakeholders have had input into the new plan which will identify key commercial and practical food waste reduction opportunities across the entire dairy supply chain.

Read more about the Dairy Sector Food Action Waste Plan.

Did you know? Food waste costs the Australian economy around $36.6 billion each year.

A vision for shared agriculture leadership and ambition

The Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Statement is a vision for government and industry contributing to a climate-resilient, profitable, net-zero emissions economy with collective action on climate change in the agriculture sector. Launched by Agriculture Sector Pledge at Ellinbank in August.

Read more about the statement.

Did you know? Victoria is home to over 3,000 dairy farms, producing 5.5 billion litres of milk each year.

World Dairy Summit goes carbon neutral

For the first time ever, the International Dairy Federation’s World Dairy Summit aimed to be carbon neutral. Dairy India organisers in New Delhi tracked emissions generated by attendees, including travel. This year’s Summit aimed to enable the sharing of knowledge and research for nourishing the world with safe and sustainable dairying.

Read more about the Summit.

Did you know? Australia’s dairy sector is committed to, and has made substantial progress on, reducing GHG emissions intensity by 30 per cent by 2030.

New tech turns manure into nitrogen-rich fertiliser

An agri-tech company has created a slurry treatment that turns liquid manure into nitrogen-rich fertilizer. N2 say this development could free farmers from depending on expensive chemical products. Plus, the treatment has been proven to cut ammonia and methane emissions almost completely.

Read more about this innovation.

Did you know? Improving how fertilisers are used is a way for farmers to reduce GHG emissions intensity.

Renewables help regulate energy supply for Aussie farms

Farmers are experimenting with renewable power options such as solar and batteries, to stabilise their access to energy supply. While solar panels and pumps and variable speed drives are the most common, turning waste into biomass for fuel is also being explored.

Read more about advantages of renewable power supply for dairy farmers.

Did you know? Data from Dairy Australia collected in 2020 found 71 per cent of farms had installed at least one type of renewable energy between 2015 and 2020.

New findings for dairy – globally and locally

Global milk production grew by 2.1 per cent in 2021, and consumption per capita increased 1.4 per cent says IDF in the recently released World Dairy Situation Report 2022. The September 2022 Dairy Situation and Outlook from Dairy Australia bodes well too, with stable production and high farmgate prices. Plus, the IDF Annual Report for 2021-2022 is out now too.

Read more from IDF on their website.

Did you know? Australians consume an estimated 94.4 litres of dairy per year.

Also, in sustainability news
Majority of US Consumers Willing to Pay More for Sustainable Products Sustainable Brands
Biotech firm creates cultivated bovine lactoferrin sustainably Dairy Reporter
Australia starts biodiversity credits for conservation projects Bloomberg
Müller switches to 100% recyclable cream pots, cutting 500 tons of virgin plastic Dairy Reporter
Fonterra to develop fermentation-derived protein Food Processing
Dairy farmer to focus on mental health in changing climate Nuffield Australia
Grazing bison on US prairies bring back native grasses Anthropocene
A big question for scientists: do animals have emotions? The Guardian
Scrapping use-by dates could help reduce food waste The Conversation
Could QR codes be an answer to reducing food waste? Tasting Table

Coming up
Join Nestlé for the digital launch of the Nescafé Plan 2030 – the Nescafé sustainability vision for this decade, October 4, 4-5pm CEST. Register now.

The European Dairy Association’s annual convention, November 24 and 25 in Madrid, Spain, is at capacity. Join the waitlist.

For global dairy sustainability news, see the latest eNews from the Global Dairy Platform and the latest Dairy Flash from the European Dairy Association.

Dairy Sustainability eNews

Reducing food loss and waste, from farmer to consumer, makes for a more sustainable sector.

International days highlight food waste and loss

Dairy sector targets food waste

A vision for shared agriculture leadership and ambition

World Dairy Summit goes carbon neutral

New tech turns manure into nitrogen-rich fertiliser

Renewables help regulate energy supply for Aussie farms

New findings for dairy – globally and locally