A propos methane: ruminants such as cows are more efficient and environmentally friendly than is often assumed. Although their methane emissions are unavoidable, they depend on feed efficiency. Cows transform grass and crop residues into milk and in doing so contribute to food production, whereby their CO2 footprint is small compared to the protein they deliver. In Germany, the methane emissions from farming with livestock account for only 3.2% of greenhouse gas emissions, and methane breaks down quickly in the atmosphere. Dairy cows play a crucial role in the cultivated landscape, biodiversity and the sustainable preservation of resources, and milk holds a key position in the food cycle of the future.

As the climate challenges are enormous and can only be solved together, we have sought out renowned partners and set up the ‘Climate Think Tank’ to provide project advice and support. This brings together experienced experts from science and practice as well as customers. Our pilot project “DMK Net Zero Farms” thus receives expert support from top institutes such as the Thünen Institute of Farm Economics, the Leibniz institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, the KWS plant breeding centre, FarmCHAMPS, the partner for the digitalisation of milk production, Josera, the animal nutrition specialist, AGRAVIS, the agricultural trade company, management consultancy Gottwald & Klepsch and our long-standing DMK customer Mars Wrigley.

DMK wants to continue to fulfil its responsibility with pioneering projects such as this one and use the findings from the pilot farms to make a significant contribution to reducing emissions and to the sustainability of the industry.