THE CO-OPERATIVE DIFFERENCE FRAMEWORK

Environment

This focus area is about making sure we maintain our position as one of the world’s most emissions-efficient dairy producers. 

A healthy, thriving environment is the foundation of a healthy, thriving farm. 

The Co-operative Difference - Environment

5:15 mins

We are focused on finding innovative ways to maintain our position as one of the world’s most emissions-efficient dairy producers, and to be the most environmentally sustainable dairy farmers by reducing our footprint, restoring nature and adopting a regenerative mindset.

We are focused on reducing material usage and ensuring materials are repurposed or recycled. Farms and communities also aspire to be zero waste and operate circular economy systems.

The Environment Achievement contributes to the first level of recognition under Our Next Steps, Te Pūtake.

Download the factsheet

Why is this important?

 
  • Healthy freshwater, soil, ecosystems and a stable climate are essential to the long-term success of farming.
  • The Māori world view and approach to water, biodiversity and climate resource management is important and continues to be reflected in National Policy Statements, planning and regulatory approaches.
  • Increasing attention on nitrate levels in groundwater and links to human health.
  • The major decline in many indigenous land-based species, and in some cases their extinction, is largely the result of the substantial reduction in the extent and quality of natural habitats. We need to take care of sensitive natural areas and consider impacts of land use and farming activities on indigenous biodiversity.
  • The science is clear: the planet is warming at a rate never before seen in history, is caused by human activity, and agriculture has to be part of the solution.
  • Regardless of the debate about the science, our customers, markets and government expect us to act, and one in three New Zealanders are worried about climate change.
  • Profitable, sustainable businesses use resources efficiently and eliminate waste by managing it as a valuable resource.
  • Responsible solid waste and recycling practices help prevent contamination of soil and waterways.

 
  • There is value at stake; our ‘clean green’ image is likely to contribute in part to the premium that New Zealand-sourced milk receives on the Global Dairy Trade. 
  • 66% of consumers will pay more for sustainable products, and sustainable brands are growing 3-4x faster than non-sustainable brands. 
  • Our customers expect us to manage water use and quality, and address globally relevant issues like biodiversity loss and habitat destruction. These customers, such as Nestlé, come to New Zealand to audit our farms annually and they want traceability of products back to environmentally sustainable and regenerative farms.
  • There is increasing interest and discussion amongst the New Zealand public and our customers around the concept of ‘regenerative’ agriculture practices and what this means in the context of dairy farming.
  • Our customers and consumer businesses are seeking low-emission and environmentally-friendly dairy ingredients so they can produce carbon neutral products (e.g. Barry Callebaut aims to be carbon and forest-positive with 100% sustainable ingredients by 2025). If we can’t deliver, these customers will substitute dairy for lower-impact ingredients or go to our competitors who can provide what they need.
  • Many of our customers, including Unilever, Nestlé and Mars, have signed up to global declarations on zero waste, circular economy and 100% recyclable, reusable and composting packaging. They expect their suppliers to be able to demonstrate commitment to the same global ambitions and actively make progress towards these targets.

 
  • New Zealanders want swimmable, healthy waterways, and 82% of Kiwis feel that it is very or extremely important to improve water quality. The government is increasing regulation of rural land use to halt the decline of waterway health and improve water quality within a generation.
  • The New Zealand government requires a 10% methane reduction from the agriculture sector by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C, with more ambitious targets by 2050.
  • Governments in our key markets such as New Zealand, Australia, UK and Chile have signed up to global declarations on circular economy and 100% recyclable, reusable and composting packaging. They are putting policies and trade restrictions in place that will impact our dairy exports in the future.
  • New Zealanders want to minimise waste and buy products in sustainable packaging, with 50% of New Zealanders saying they are either very or extremely worried about the impacts of waste. The government is responding to public concern by putting in place new product stewardship recovery and recycling schemes for things like tyres, farm plastics, agrichemicals and their containers.
Cows grazing in paddock

Farm Grown Feed

In New Zealand, we have a reputation for being pure, natural and efficient producers of nutrition. Our pasture-based farming system and use of farm grown feeds supports this reputation and in turn protects the value we generate today and into the future.

Farm grown feed sits at the heart of our low cost, low carbon footprint model of production. It’s attributed to lower water use and improved levels of soil organic matter.

Farm Grown Feed as defined for the purposes of The Co-operative Difference as pasture, forage or fodder crop that is grown in New Zealand for the purpose of feeding to stock. 

WINTER GRAZING

Here are a few useful resources to help manage winter grazing. 

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Winter Grazing Management Factsheet

Learn more about winter grazing management, why this is important and how to meet the Environemnt achievement of The Co-operative Difference.

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Winter Grazing Checklist

Plan and prepare for wintering on crop with this Winter Grazing Checklist from DairyNZ. It includes sections on national wintering rules, animal care requirements, good farming practices and planning for success.

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Winter Grazing Management Plan

Download our Winter Grazing Management Plan template to plan your grazing, animal, weather and crop management, and create a Paddock Wintering Plan.

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Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator (DESC)

How much effluent storage do you need? The Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator will tell you, based on your specific farm data.

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Riparian Planner

Creating a riparian management plan to fence, plant and protect waterways is now easy with the Riparian Planner.

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Farm Environment Plan

A Farm Environment Plan (FEP) outlines how a farm's resources, environment and management system can harmonise to guard and protect the land for future generations.