Some of our milk suppliers have made significant investments in new technology to make a positive contribution to the environment. For example, Richard Weaver from Red House Farm, Redditch, Worcestershire was one of the first dairy farmers to install a system to treat cattle slurry via a process of anaerobic digestion. The digester produces biogas which is used to generate electricity for use on farm. The success of the venture has prompted Richard to look at investing in a larger generator that could supply sufficient electricity for the whole farm enterprise. There could also be the potential for any surplus electricity to be supplied into the national grid.
 

Reducing Carbon emissions

We care about our carbon footprint and continue to do our best to reduce the amount of carbon we release at our sites and farms.

At our sites

We have been measuring the amount of carbon dioxide released from our sites since 2002. In the first five years, results show that we have reduced the CO2 released per tonne of milk processed by 25%. Our sites have continued their efforts, achieving a further 3% reduction in 2008. We aim to reduce this by another 3% during the next 12 months.

28% cut in CO2 released
per tonne of milk processed

During 2008/2009 we worked with the Carbon Trust to implement a carbon management plan aimed at reducing our carbon emissions and agreeing specific targets to be met by 2020.

Throughout our sites we have invested in improved energy measurement systems on the principle of ‘what gets measured gets managed’.

As part of this, we updated our boiler control systems with modern, accurate systems that use fuel efficiently. We also introduced Economiser systems where they were not previously in place.

In our dairies, we have reduced heat loss by improving pipe lagging. A large amount of energy can be lost through leakage of compressed air, so to prevent this we now survey compressed air systems annually at all sites, and aim to improve every year.

At our Chard and Davidstow locations we have switched to fuelling our boilers with Clean Fuel Oil, which is made from recovered/recycled oils.

On our supplying dairy farms

We are fully aware of the impact that dairy farming has on the environment, and that it is important to gain a greater understanding of the key sources of carbon emissions and the action we can take to stabilise and reduce them.

Dairy Crest Direct (DCD) is the independent representative body for our direct-supplying farmers, and has developed a bespoke carbon footprint evaluation tool. This was part-funded by Dairy Crest, and is already being used on farms to measure the carbon output of specific groups of our suppliers. The results have highlighted the opportunity for cost and efficiency savings that can result from seeking to farm with a lower carbon score. The DCD tool is awaiting full accreditation from The Carbon Trust, and will then be rolled out to other Dairy Crest suppliers.

Farming with a lower carbon score brings cost and efficiency savings

A further 140 suppliers have already had the carbon footprint from their dairy farms measured through the AB Agri carbon tool and have now agreed targets against which they will be assessed annually.

All our suppliers are offered access to White Gold—an independent farm consultancy service. This is a unique package subsidised by Dairy Crest to support our suppliers in achieving the Assured Dairy Farm (ADF) standards and complying with regulatory requirements, including new environmental legislation.

“The White Gold Service is a real benefit to our business. We can rely on our Adviser to give us practical advice about how to consistently and efficiently achieve the Farm Assurance standards. We are also kept fully informed about farm legislation and what the impact of any new regulations will actually mean on our farm. Having access to this level of professional support is of great value and makes my job a lot easier!” Dave Richards, one of our farmers on the White Gold service