Organic Valley announces low carbon footprint dairy on path to carbon neutrality
Phase one of Organic Valley’s dairy life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluated on-farm greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms in a diverse range of climates using different management practices. The results are in: Farming practices of Organic Valley farmers have a measurable benefit for the planet, reinforcing the cooperative’s commitment to bringing ethically made organic food to families everywhere.
University of Wisconsin-Madison’s assessment reveals that, on average, the dairy farms of Organic Valley’s members have a smaller carbon footprint than average U.S. conventional and organic dairy overall.
The most significant difference in calculations of the carbon footprint of Organic Valley milk is in the inclusion of carbon sequestration from pasture as well as from forage and crop production. Including carbon sequestration in the LCA reduced the net farm emissions of the cooperative’s dairy farms by an average of 15%. On average, Organic Valley farmers report engaging in 50% more pasture grazing than that required by the National Organic Program, and the LCA results are impacted by this significant difference. In 2022, the full LCA will be completed, and Organic Valley will publish the overall impact of the cooperative’s organic milk.
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