How quality forage can reduce GHG emissions

Dairy farmers often face a dilemma when it comes  to increasing productivity or reducing GHG emissions. But there’s one thing you can do to help with both: work on your forage quality. And Sollio Agriculture’s agri-advisors, and livestock and crop production specialists are there to help you make it happen.

Methane accounts for approximately 40% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada’s agricultural industry. And the vast majority of it is enteric methane, which is produced by cattle as part of their normal feed digestion process. 

To meet Dairy Farmers of Canada’s ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, you’ll need to employ a variety of strategies to reduce methane output. By combining multiple strategies, you could actually reduce enteric methane emissions by as much as 60%.

Measuring your emissions

Your farm’s potential for reducing methane and GHG emissions depends on its current levels  and its location. In other words, you can’t make a game plan without knowing who you’re playing against.

A good way to measure your farm’s methane emissions is to calculate its carbon footprint. We won’t lie—this can be time-consuming and somewhat complicated, but it will give you a good overall picture of your farm’s GHG emissions.

Another option is to use the Sollio Agriculture Carbon Calculator. This simple tool simulates your methane emissions (converted into CO2 equivalent per kilogram of milk fat) based on your farm’s feed rations. It takes into account all rations for all animals on the farm. The data is then included in your AgConnexion | Lactascan reports, so you can compare your results with those of other farms. 

Your Sollio Agriculture agri-advisor can then help you choose the best strategies for your farm’s goals.

Improving forage quality

The more digestible and well-preserved the forage, the easier it will be for your cows to digest. And the easier the forage is for your cows to digest, the more efficient their milk production will be and the less methane they’ll emit per unit of milk produced. This lets you kill two birds with one stone—sustainability and profitability.

Based on simulations done with our ration calculator, using top-quality hay can reduce methane emissions by up to 7.5% per kg of milk and 3% per day compared to average forage. It can also increase milk production by 5%.

That might not sound like a lot, but multiplied by an entire herd, it’s a substantial contribution to the goal of net zero.

Here are some tips for improving your forage quality: 

1. Choose the right seeds
   Our crop production agri-advisors are there every fall to help farmers choose the forage crop mixtures that best suit their farm’s specific environmental conditions for the next growing season. 

    

2. Time your harvest right 
   The NUTRI-Forage decision-making tool from CRAAQ (French only) is extremely useful for planning your harvesting time and includes a forecast of the nutritional value of your forages.

    

3. Harvest in wide windrows
   With wider windrows, your hay dries faster, which reduces dry matter loss and results in a higher sugar content. This means better fermentation, higher nutritional value, and ultimately, higher milk yields.

    

4. Ensure appropriate preservation conditions
   Good quality forages must be harvested when the dry matter content is right to achieve optimal fermentation. Forage preservatives can help ensure good fermentation, thereby improving the silage’s long-term stability.  

    

5. Wait for complete fermentation and manage the bunk face carefully
   Let your forage ferment for at least a month and manage the bunk face carefully to avoid exposing it to the air, which compromises feed quality.

    

Our agri-advisors are with you every step of the way

Sollio Agriculture’s extensive network gives you access to expert advice from professionals who are always on the lookout for the latest in research, innovation and technology.

Elise Gagnon, technological tools and sustainable agriculture expert, trains agri-advisors in practices that boost sustainability and profitability. The objective is to ensure our livestock agri-advisors are properly trained in the latest crop harvesting and preservation techniques. 

Our agri-advisors then take everything they learn and apply it out in the field. Because when sustainability meets profitability, you’re the ones who stand to gain.

Find out more about the experience of two young up-and-coming farmers, Samuel Tessier and Alexis Chassé, who are working on the quality of their forages in this article from Le Coopérateur. (In French only)