RAISIO TO CALCULATE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF FEEDS AND INTRODUCE AN ENVIRONMENTAL INDEX FOR GRAIN FARMERS
Raisio plc Press release 11 November 2009
RAISIO TO CALCULATE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF FEEDS AND INTRODUCE AN ENVIRONMENTAL
INDEX FOR GRAIN FARMERS
Raisio has introduced an environmental index designed for its contract farmers
that provides farmers with information on their energy efficiency. Meanwhile,
Raisio Feed will start calculating the carbon footprint of feed mixes. By
offering animals feed that caters to their nutritional needs, the environmental
emissions from livestock production can be significantly reduced. Raisio Feed is
also investing in methane emission research together with the Finland-based
dairy company Valio.
A new method for measuring the impacts of farming
To respond to the grain farmers' need of new methods for measuring environmental
impacts and for identifying areas of improvement, Raisio has introduced an
environmental index designed to meet the requirements of its contract farmers.
The index provides farmers with information on the environmental impacts of
their operations and allows them to compare their energy efficiency against
other contract farmers' performance.
Information will be collected from Raisio's contract farmers every autumn after
harvesting together with preliminary samples. The method can also be used to
calculate carbon dioxide emissions. Now that the energy efficiency of primary
production can be measured, action can also be taken to improve it. The purpose
of the index is to promote continuous improvement.
Calculating the emissions of feeds
Raisio Feed plans to start calculating the carbon footprint of feed mixes this
year. These calculations provide information on the sector's own operations and
enable the assessment of development measures in the feed chain. Carbon
footprint calculation is also an excellent tool for the livestock product
processing industry.
Precision feeds help reduce emissions
Raisio has extremely environmentally conscious customers, which shows very
clearly in Raisio Feed's research and development operations. Feed mixes offer
an effective way of cutting the environmental impacts of livestock farming.
Using phytase enzyme in the feed helps cut phosphorus emissions by 20-30%, and
pure aminoacids reduce nitrogen emissions by 20-30%. All efforts start from
designing precision feeds on the basis of the animals' studied nutritional
needs.
Raisio Feed is also investing in methane emission research together with the
Finland-based dairy company Valio. Methane is a significant greenhouse gas
generated in the digestive systems of ruminant animals eating grass feeds.
Methane is produced in the animals' digestive system, and in manure storage and
processing. The new precision feeding solutions help reduce the methane
emissions of cattle farming.
Raisio plc
Heidi Hirvonen
Communications Manager
Tel. +358 50 567 3060
Further information:
Pasi Lähdetie, Vice President, Grain Trade Operations, tel. +358 50 360
9075
Bengt-Erik Rosin, Marketing Director, Feed & Malt, tel. +358 50 557 4323
Jaakko Laurinen, Development Manager, Grain Trade Operations, tel. +358 50 558
2576