With feed free of genetic modification, we are shaping a sustainable future for farmers and consumers.
A cow's feed ration consists on average of approximately 70% roughage (grass silage, maize silage, grass, hay) and approximately 30% high-performance feed to boost milk yields (cereals, grain maize, rape or soy meal). The roughage is grown regionally by the farms, the high-performance feed originates from German and international sources.
Since 2016, the DMK Group has been switching to non-genetically modified feed in selected regions and at selected sites. And we are proud that ten of our sites have the “Ohne Gentechnik” label in accordance with the VLOG standard (VLOG is the acronym for the Association for Non-genetically Modified Food).
More and more farmers are changing over to sustainable feeding practices to do their bit towards preserving our environment. At present, more than 3,000 dairy farmers representing 3.1 billion kilos of milk have switched to GMO-free milk production and are VLOG certified. Our farmers receive a total of around EUR 30 million extra for the conversion every year and the DMK Group will continue to support the development of sustainable feed.
As a consequence, we can now offer products to German food retailers which are largely GMO-free and have been the market leader in GMO-free dairy products since 2017.
The DMK Group purchases RTRS certificates for the volume of feed which does not comply with the VLOG standard. The RTRS standard was developed by a multi-stakeholder organisation which was initiated by WWF in the context of the Round Table on Responsible Soy. The WWF recommends this certification system because of its clear minimum requirements, which include not only social criteria such as no engagement in child labour, but also the responsible use of chemicals and preservation of soil quality. Another focal area is the protection of biodiversity and strict regulation of land encroachment to protect natural forests and other natural reserves.
DMK follows the topic continuously in discussion forums, contributes to the "More sustainable protein feed" forum and supports research projects.
Sustainable feeding also includes grass-clover ley, for example, which not only feeds cows but also enriches the soil with natural nitrogen. But that's not all. Cow droppings are increasingly being regarded as a valuable resource. More and more dairy farmers favour innovative biogas systems which not only supply electricity and warmth, but also fertilise the fields. These measures not only include important nutrient cycles, but also help to reduce CO2 emissions and protect the environment. It is our declared goal to expand these sustainable practices further and thereby make an important contribution to the environment.
