One of the main challenges is an adoption of beef farming to new regulations and market trends, mainly in relation to the environment and climate change. Beef farming is responsible for a big part of the emissions generated in agriculture, as it is long-term production process. To start thinking about reduction plans, firstly the farmer and/or advisors need to know what is the baseline of emissions nowadays, and in which elements there is perspective for reduction. The Climate effectiveness calculator is an answer. It’s an easy tool which gives visible and easy to understand results. This tool is in implementation phase for two quality standards of production: (1) Quality Meat Program (QMP) dedicated for beef production and (2) Quality Assurance for Food Products (QAFP) which is dedicated for pork and poultry. Farmers participating in these standards have to prepare GHG reduction plans for the next 5 years and an estimation of the emissions will be calculated every year within this tool.
The tool was prepared as research results by scientists from the Animal Welfare Institute, experts from farmers organization like PBA, and UPEMI. The farmer or advisor just needs to enter several data about the farm (production system for plants cultivation and for animals, fertilizing, residues, energy usage, feeding details, carbon sequestration). From the results, the farmer or advisor gets information about the basic emission balance, mitigation balance, sequestration balance, 5% reduction level, 10% reduction level, 20% reduction level, and the actual reduction level. The tool is in the final test phase, being tested by 20 beef farmers. It will be implemented into QMP standard from 01.02.2023.
The results from this calculator will help farmers to change their production system into a more sustainable production. Overall reduction of the GHG emissions will be seen, which is a rising demand from the market. Also the price for cattle kept in this production system is higher, as theconsumer is willing to pay more for such beef. This is also a way to be environmentally friendly, which can and certainly will be a market advantage.
It will be really helpful for me. I would like to produce in a more sustainable way and measuring GHG is only one way to check my actual emissions and prepare a plan for reduction.
Further information
https://kalkulatorco2.pl/