The Farm of the Future

The farming sector has a task on its journey to net zero CO2 emissions, but John Durkan, Environmental and Sustainability Manager at one of Europe’s biggest food processors ABP Food Group, says huge steps are being made.

ABP Food Group employs 3,000 people across Ireland, with over 11,000 staff across Europe. It plays an integral role in the agribusiness across the continent in terms of supply chain processes; from slaughter to processing and packing. Achieving net zero in the agri sector is an arduous task. It requires action across the entire food chain, from farm to fork.

It is estimated that agriculture contributes around 37% of the total greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted in Ireland alone meaning players like ABP will be crucial in reducing that figure. In 2019, the company announced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). This alignment is ABP’s commitment to a sustainability strategy that is part of the bigger global climate change goals set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. The new targets include GHG emissions across ABP’s business operations (scope 1 and 2 emissions) and its supply chain (scope 3 emissions). The company has committed to reducing its scope 1 and 3 emissions by 27% by 2030. It is also committed to leading a reduction of 17% in scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions coming from the supply chain by 2030. “There are really important targets,” John Durkan says. “We are early enablers in this area and we’ve done a lot of work.”

The company has been conducting industry-leading research with leading universities and research institutions to look at ways of helping beef farmers to reduce their environmental impact. In a multi-year study carried out at its two Demonstration Farms in Shropshire and in Ireland the company used a datadriven approach to improve the genetics available to the beef herd, so that beef animals optimise their feed conversion ratio (grow faster) and are ready for slaughter at a younger age, “thereby significantly reducing their emissions footprint”. Over 4,000 animals have been involved in that study so far, which is supported and verified by independent experts and research institutions.

John explains: “In the first phase of the study, the aim was to establish and validate the potential of genetic improvement through selective breeding, using a data-driven approach that leads to the siring of beef animals that, put simply, are more efficient at converting feed to protein, reaching their target weight at an earlier age. “The study has demonstrated that with this data-driven breeding approach a methane emission reduction of up to 40% is achievable and this could have significant positive benefits across UK beef production. “The research has also shown that animals within this same lower age bracket can further a drop in methane emissions by up to 10%, while farmers can improve returns of up to £100 per head, showing economic and environmental sustainability can travel hand in hand. And, the unique pasture-based system promotes best-in-class animal welfare, soil health, grass types and grazing systems and general biodiversity.” John says the second phase of this research will take a “whole farm approach” with the help of independent experts and Harper Adams University and CAFRE. He says in order to achieve ABP’s targets “it is important to articulate the need for change”. “We’re at an early stage but there are huge innovation developments and we’re seeing it already. It’s going to take time to effect change and the entire supply chain needs to be involved.”

He adds that in house, ABP is using the ‘Doing More with Less’ resource efficiency programme, which reduces its water usage and also decarbonises its scope 1 and 2 emissions.

“ABP is 100% green electricity since 2018 which is a significant step forward, and it has introduced many initiatives in house to further decarbonise heat on our site,” he says. “These include heat recovery from the refrigeration system, reducing the need for heat demand, process improvement and measuring and monitoring.” Steam and hot water production from non-fossil fuel bases will be challenging but one that ABP has embarked upon at its Ellesmere site where it invested more than £30m for a carbon-neutral site.

John says: “The biggest change will have to arise on the farm and over the past eight years, ABP has demonstrated that initiatives on the farm significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the animal. “Genetics plays an important role in the reduction. ABP has also demonstrated that soil structure and health are paramount in the generation of a nutritious multi-species grass sward for animals. Feed conversion improvements and the use of clover also make a significant difference.” But a change in the farming industry to reduce emissions “is about a collective approach,” he asserts, and the responsibility doesn’t just fall on one part of the supply chain, but all of it.