Fossil-free beef production that reaches climate goals for 2030 already today
Lantmännen, together with the partner farm “Hagshultskossornas Kopensionat”, is now releasing a new report. The calculations show that the Småland farm's beef production already today reaches the Science Based Targets FLAG target for 2030, which follows the emission reduction rate required to reach the goal of the Paris Agreement.
Hagshult's “Kopensionat” in Skillingaryd, Småland, uses retired dairy cows in a unique business model in Sweden where the cows' lifespan is extended. Through a focus on productivity, resource efficiency and fossil-free inputs, the climate footprint of beef production is significantly reduced.
Lantmännen has now calculated the partner farm's climate performance in a new report, which shows that the farm's operations already reach Science Based Target's FLAG targets by 2030. This means a reduction in emissions of 24 percent between 2020 and 2030. The farm reduces 30 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. If carbon sequestration is included in the calculation, a net effect of more than 50 percent lower climate footprint since 2020 is achieved.
"The climate calculations on our farm show that productive agriculture can also contribute to a sustainable transition of food production. We must dare to test new technologies and use more sustainable inputs for the sake of the climate. In addition, the cows contribute to important ecosystem services and benefit biodiversity," says Carl-Johan Bertilsson, who runs “Hagshultskossornas Kopensionat” together with Ulrica Björnhag.
“Hagshultskossornas Kopensionat” is a partner farm to Lantmännen's machine operations. This means that the farm uses the latest machinery and accessories that sellers, customers and interested farmers test on site.
With the report, the companies want to show what it takes to transition to fossil-free production, inspire more farmers to use more sustainable production methods and at the same time encourage actors throughout the chain to reward Swedish food.
"Our report shows that a fossil-free transition of Swedish agriculture is possible. The technology and knowledge are already available today and Swedish farmers can strengthen their leading sustainability position. But the cost for the individual farmer to make these sustainable investments on their own farm is too great for development to take off. Here, the industry and politics will need to create better conditions for realizing the potential broadly in agriculture," says Claes Johansson, Head of Sustainability at Lantmännen.
By 2050, all industries must reach net zero emissions according to Science Based Targets. The fossil fuel in Swedish agriculture can already be phased out today, but more research is needed to minimize nitrous oxide emissions from arable land and to manage methane emissions from animal production.
More information
Report (only available in Swedish)
Measures at Hagshultskossornas Kopensionat
- Concept ReCow. Retired dairy cows are utilised and become grass-fed meat, a unique business model in Sweden.
- Focus on high productivity
- Fossil-free fuel from Energifabriken
- Plant nutrients with a low climate footprint produced without fossil gas from Yara
- Recycled and thin bale wrap from Trioworld
- Precision farming technology with the right amount in the right place at the right time
- Measures for biodiversity such as flowering zones in the field- Grassland cultivation that binds carbon in the soil
For more information, please contact us
Lantmännen's Press Service
Tel: +46 10 556 88 00
E-mail: press@lantmannen.com
About Lantmännen
Lantmännen is an agricultural cooperative and Northern Europe’s leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy and food products. Owned by 18,000 Swedish farmers, we have 12,000 employees, operations in over 20 countries and an annual turnover of approximately SEK 70 billion. With grain at the heart of our operations, we refine arable land resources to make farming thrive. Some of our best-known food brands are AXA, Kungsörnen, Scan, GoGreen, FINN CRISP, Schulstad and Vaasan. Our company is founded on the knowledge and values acquired through generations of farmers. With research, development and operations throughout the value chain, together we take responsibility from field to fork. For more information: www.lantmannen.com
