BEYOND THE HORIZON: A NEW PATH FOR LIVESTOCK

Welcome to the new series “Integral Sustainability,” which marks the beginning of an innovative partnership between Revista Leite Integral and ESGpec.

We enthusiastically launch this column to present case studies, analyses, and practical insights on how the dairy sector can advance toward more sustainable and profitable practices. In our debut article, "Beyond the Horizon: A New Path for Cattle Farming," inspired by the song immortalized by Roberto Carlos, we explore the idea of a promising future where sustainability and productivity go hand in hand. Just as the song seeks a place of peace and fulfillment, our vision is a future where innovative and regenerative practices transform the farm into a balanced, integrated, and biodiverse system . We begin by describing how the carbon footprint analysis of Brejo Alegre Farm, conducted over two consecutive years, can be interpreted and used to guide this transformation. We go beyond the numbers, highlighting how changes in management, aligned with the "Regenerative Awakening" project, can generate positive impacts.

Case study: Brejo Alegre Farm

Let's begin with a practical case study that exemplifies this transformation. We present the results and comparisons of the carbon footprint calculations for Brejo Alegre Farm's milk for 2022 and 2023 (Table 1). The farm, located in Itaúna, Minas Gerais, has a Holstein herd raised in a Compost Barn system. The calculations were performed using the PEC Calc calculator, which uses the life cycle approach. Despite the significant increase in the number of animals and total milk production, which resulted in a 17% increase in total emissions, the carbon footprint per kg of milk produced was reduced by 8.3% (Table 1).

Although total emissions increased from 5,289 to 6,191 tons of CO2 eq, emissions per kilogram of milk corrected for fat and protein decreased from 1.45 kg CO2 eq in 2022 to 1.33 kg CO2 eq in 2023. The increase in total emissions is due to the growth in milk production. However, the improvement in efficiency per liter of milk produced is already showing positive impacts. In percentage terms, total milk production increased by 27.8%, while total emissions grew by only 17% (Table 1).

The main sources of greenhouse gases (GHG) are related to feed and enteric methane, which together contribute more than 90% of total emissions in both 2022 and 2023 (Chart 1). Regarding the contribution of each animal category, the variation between the two years was relatively small, as the production system, facilities, and feed remained stable (Chart 2).

Changes in herd structure and productivity

Between 2022 and 2023, there was an increase in the number of animals, total milk production, and average milk per cow per day. Total production grew 27.8% compared to 2022, a combination of the increased percentage of lactating cows and the 7.7% increase in average productivity. The increase in productivity per animal led to a reduction in the carbon footprint.

This highlights the importance of optimizing productivity, respecting the characteristics of each production system, the genetic potential of the herds, and the investment capacity of the producers. In livestock farming, reducing the carbon footprint per liter of milk can be achieved through emissions 'dilution,' which occurs when milk production increases without the need to significantly expand the herd. This means that total emissions are diluted over a larger production volume, resulting in lower emissions per unit of product. In 2023, this effect was evident, reinforcing the importance of strategies that increase production efficiency (Table 2).

IN LIVESTOCK FARMING, REDUCING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT PER LITER OF MILK CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH 'DILUTION' OF EMISSIONS, WHICH HAPPENS WHEN MILK PRODUCTION INCREASES WITHOUT THE NEED TO SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND THE HERD

The percentage of lactating cows in relation to the herd remained at 39% in both periods evaluated. The large proportion of young animals contributes to emissions but not to production, resulting in a higher emission intensity compared to a herd with a higher proportion of adult animals.

Management strategies

Between the two periods evaluated, manure management remained the same, with the use of composting and biodigesters that minimize emissions from manure. The farm's facilities are Compost Barns for all animals in the herd. Lactating cows, dry cows, and heifers over 12 months old are housed in barns with feeding lanes cleaned by flushing, using recirculated water. Calves up to 12 months old are housed in Compost Barns with feeding lanes cleaned by scraping, without adding water to the system. Dry manure is stored and applied to crop areas. Liquid manure passes through a solids separation system, followed by a biodigestion chamber that produces biogas, which is converted into electricity. It is then stored in an open lagoon for recirculation in the lane cleaning system and application to crop areas as fertilizer. Applying both dry and liquid manure reduces the use of synthetic fertilizers and reincorporates organic matter into the soil.

In the energy and fuels sector, there was an increase in solar power generation capacity, which reduced the demand for energy from the electricity grid.

An increase in the use of fossil fuels was also observed, consistent with the expansion of operations.

Studies on fuel economy, machine efficiency, and alternative energy sources can help reduce the carbon footprint associated with these sources.

It is worth remembering that emissions from energy and fuels contribute less than 2% of the carbon footprint of milk.

Looking inward and seizing opportunities: how can we help Brazil achieve the Methane Pact's reduction targets?

Sustainability variables allow for an internal perspective, with the carbon footprint being a variable that accumulates the successes and failures of farm management and may be related to the quality of management and the longevity of the activity. Looking inward offers an opportunity for continuous improvement, focusing on balance, integration, and biodiversity. At Brejo Alegre, these efforts are reflected in the milk's carbon footprint, which in 2023 was reduced to 1.33 kg CO2 eq/kg FPCM, a significant improvement compared to 2022. Daily positive attitudes, reflected in numbers, are generally associated with the well-being of people and animals, milk quality, farm employee satisfaction, and the farm's connection with the ecosystem and local community.

Looking out

Just as it's important to look inward, benchmarking offers an essential external perspective to contextualize these efforts. For carbon footprint, values below 1 kg CO2eq /kg FPCM are considered low, and between 1 and 1.5 kg CO2eq /kg FPCM are desirable. The IFCN (International Farm Comparison Network) monitors 157 farms worldwide, indicating an average footprint for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay of 2.14 kg CO2eq /kg FPCM. Compared to other farms, Brejo Alegre produces milk with a footprint 60% lower than the average value indicated by the IFCN. Additionally, it's important to remember that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a global priority, with goals established by the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. In 2021, a voluntary agreement was signed at COP26: the Global Methane Commitment, which sets the goal of reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030. This result must be achieved as a global effort, resulting from individual contributions.

If Brejo Alegre Farm continues to progress as it did from 2022 to 2023, it will achieve a 30% reduction in enteric methane emissions within the deadline established by the Methane Pact. To achieve this, it would need to mitigate 0.019 CO2 eq/kg FPCM, which would occur before 2030. See the calculations:

• In 2022, the carbon footprint was 1.45 kg CO 2 eq/kg FPCM, of which 0.43 kg CO 2 eq/kg FPCM was related to methane;

• In 2023, the carbon footprint was 1.33 kg CO 2 eq/kg FPCM, of which 0.39 kg CO 2 eq/kg FPCM was related to methane;

• This represented a 9% decrease in enteric methane emissions;

• Extrapolating based on this reduction, in 2027, we would have the value of 0.27 kg of CO 2 eq/kg FPCM related to methane, which would correspond to a decrease of 30%.

Just to give an example, methane reduction can be achieved through several strategies: increasing average productivity per animal, offering balanced diets that increase digestive efficiency, genetic selection of more efficient cows with lower methane emissions, and the use of methane-reducing additives in the diet.

REDUCING METHANE CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH SEVERAL STRATEGIES: INCREASING AVERAGE PRODUCTIVITY PER ANIMAL, OFFERING BALANCED DIETS, GENETIC SELECTION OF MORE EFFICIENT COWS, AND USE OF METHANE-REDUCING ADDITIVES IN THE DIET.

Conclusion

It's time to reflect: are we doing our part? In the case of Brejo Alegre Farm, yes! It has increased production efficiency, resulting in a significant reduction in its carbon footprint. Furthermore, compared to other farms, Brejo Alegre has a footprint well below the average in Latin America and close to that of efficient farms in the United States and Europe. The farm can also contribute to the country's achievement of the Methane Pact targets. It is possible to increase herd size and milk production while reducing the carbon footprint.

Investments in alternative energy sources, waste management, and feed efficiency are strategies for sustainable dairy farming. For this farm, and many others with similar models, productivity, animal health, proper waste management, and regenerative agriculture practices are crucial to achieving low-carbon milk production. Using sustainability indicators such as carbon footprint, farm managers and consultants can develop a regenerative action plan that reduces GHG emissions. With an ongoing commitment to sustainability, every farm can contribute to a more balanced and productive future.

BRUNA SILPER

Veterinarian, specialist in livestock farming

precision and sustainable solutions, PhD in Science

Animal and milk producer in MG.

HELOISE DUARTE

Veterinarian, specialist in Management

Agroindustrial and meat producer in MG.

LUIZ GUSTAVO PEREIRA

Veterinarian, professor and researcher, Doctor

in Animal Science, specialist in nutrition and

regenerative systems.

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About ESGpec

ESGpec is a startup founded with the purpose of integrating technology and sustainability in agribusiness, offering tools that help producers measure and improve their environmental performance. Its portfolio includes solutions such as PEC Scores and PEC Calc, promoting regenerative practices for a more balanced and responsible production system.

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The "Integral Sustainability" column is a column published by ESGpec in Leite Integral magazine , which has established itself as a space for dialogue between science, innovation, and practice in the field. Each article invites reflection on the future of dairy farming and on how we can balance productivity, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility.

Check out all the columns published in the magazine:

1️⃣ The wind of change — a call to recognize that the time for sustainability has arrived and that agriculture needs to act now.

2️⃣ Modern times — practical and technological solutions to reduce methane emissions in livestock farming.

3️⃣ Beyond the horizon — a vision of how innovation and regeneration open new paths for the milk of the future.

4️⃣ Simple way — how each producer's choice can transform livestock farming, making ESG something accessible and real in the field.

5️⃣ Nothing is by chance — animal behavior and welfare: The science applied to sustainable dairy production.

6️⃣ COP30: Time doesn't stop — What is the role of livestock farming on a planet under pressure?

7️⃣   COP30: We'll need everyone — What the world's largest climate conference revealed for Brazilian milk and why the next decade demands data, transparency, and real implementation in the field.

8️⃣   FROM JANUARY TO JANUARY: Sustainability starts with the basics — This article shows how consistent decisions, from herd management to soil care, reduce emissions and increase efficiency in milk production.

🌿 This column is the result of a partnership between ESGpec and Revista Leite Integral , and reinforces our commitment to making sustainability a practical, measurable, and inspiring topic.