When choosing between feed types, it’s helpful to think about things like how much energy and protein the feed has, how much it costs, and what the potential environmental impact is.
TAKING ACTION
What you can do
Choose your feed types
Consider ‘embedded’ emissions
Think about any embedded emissions from feed imported into New Zealand, including how feed has been harvested. Imported feed can have ‘embedded’ emissions from it’s production, processing, harvesting and transportation all of which can contribute to your farm’s emissions footprint. For instance, Palm Kernel Extract (PKE) and soya-based products have deforestation emissions associated with them which increases their overall footprint.
Avoid wasting feed
Think about your feeding methods and practices. Harvest, store, and distribute homegrown and imported feed to minimise wastage and get the most value out of what you’re growing or buying in.
Target cows’ nutrition needs
Feeding cows enough of the right quality feed, targeted to their nutrient requirements at different stages of the season, is the best way to ensure supplements are used profitably in your system.
Check your byproducts
Ensure you’re not overusing low-emission byproducts. These could affect your farm’s ability to achieve the farm-grown feed achievement as part of The Co-operative Difference.
What you can do
Consider your feeding methods and practices. Calculating your pasture potential can help identify gaps in your feed or highlight opportunities for improvement.
TOOLS AND INFORMATION
From other farmers and industry experts
- View all
- Farmers
- On farm experts
- Industry tools
BENEFITS
What's the opportunity for your farm?
Productivity
Balancing homegrown feed with supplements that support your herd’s nutritional needs while minimising feed’s contribution to your on-farm footprint, will also support their wellbeing. Cows that are fed well are healthier, more productive, live longer and are less vulnerable to disease and infection.
Profitability
Using supplements tactically to support maximum pasture eaten is a key driver of profit.
Every tonne of dry matter (tDM) of imported feed has extra cost in your system due to things like; storage, infrastructure, feedout and machinery maintenance, staff time, and feed wastage.
From 15 years worth of data, DairyNZ estimates that for each $1.00 increase in supplement expenses, operating expenses increased between $1.50 to $1.70 per kgMS.
Sustainability
Using locally grown feed means less emissions are brought into a farm via imported feed, which comes with its own emissions trail/history. Activities production, processing, harvesting and transportation of feed, all create emissions that are embedded in imported feed, contributing to your farm’s emissions footprint.
For similar volumes of feed purchased and similar production achieved, emissions from feed can vary between 2% and 20% of your activity footprint, just due to the type of feed.
Get in touch
Have a question? We’re here to help
Talk with your vet or herd improvement company to make a plan on the best approach to increase homegrown feed on your farm, and how to sustainably manage imported feed to minimise wastage and reduce on-farm emissions.
Or call our Farmer Support Team on 0800 65 65 68 for more options.