Data helping farmers work towards reducing emissions intensity

In our 'Taking Action On Farm' series, we explore how Fonterra farmers are working to reduce emissions intensity on their farms. These efforts are a vital part of the Co-op’s work to reduce emissions across our value chain, ultimately bringing our sustainability performance through to every NZMP^TM product you purchase as well as delivering the high-quality dairy ingredients you expect.

In December last year, we spoke with one of our farmer shareholders, Sam Waugh, to find out what he is doing on his farm, and how data from his Farm Insights Report is helping him make better on-farm decisions to improve efficiencies including herd performance, optimising nutrient use, and pasture management.  
 

Hear more about how Sam is using the data to run a more efficient farm:

Sam says one of the benefits of being a Fonterra farmer is the Farm Insights Report (FIR) they receive each year. FIRs are unique to each farm and provide insights into a farm's performance supporting on-farm decision-making by identifying opportunities in nutrient optimisation, feed efficiency, and animal efficiency. Sam’s FIR highlighted an opportunity in their feed system. To help improve feed efficiency and reduce emissions intensity on his farm, in the 2021/22 season Sam introduced chicory to grow over the hot dry summer months to complement grass growth, to provide high value feed, and maintain milk production while reducing the need for externally sourced supplementary feed.

FIR’s are just one of the many ways Fonterra is helping farmers identify opportunities for efficiency and improvement on farm.