Protein quality evaluation ‘halves’ environment impact of meat and dairy

“06-Jan-2023 By Oliver Morrison

The environmental impact of beef and dairy is halved by a new assessment method that calculates a food’s protein quality, say scientists at Rothamsted Research. Full article here: HTTPS://WWW.FOODNAVIGATOR.COM/ARTICLE/2023/01/06/PROTEIN-QUALITY-EVALUATION-HALVES-ENVIRONMENT-IMPACT-OF-MEAT-AND-DAIRY”

This is a fascinating and emotional topic as can be seen from the comments. While developed nation populations, particularly in urban environments, have the luxury of being able to choose their source of protein, in much of the developing world this is a luxury that is not afforded. Quality milk is one of the best non-slaughter methods of getting animal-derived proteins and nutrients to populations. Developing dairy practices and dairy value chains in these countries may lead to future generations having the choice, but for now, substitution is not the priority. Getting people nutritionally rich diets with the least environmental footprint is. Backing smallholder dairy development should be a priority, particularly in sub Saharan Africa, to establish practices that are both environmentally sustainable and profitable. Having cattle which are adapted to local demands, while increasing KG output of milk and reducing KG input of feed has a direct reduction in per KG emissions. The FAO data on this, can be found here in a series of interesting graphics: https://foodandagricultureorganization.shinyapps.io/GLEAMV3_Public/

The FAO Emissions From Ruminants paper sumamrises the changes that can be made to improve (reduce) emissions as follows:

• Improving feeding practices and digestibility of diets;
• Improving yields through genetics, feeding practices and animal health, and overall management;
• Reducing land-use change arising from feed crop cultivation and pasture expansion;
• Improving manure management – reducing the use of uncovered liquid manure management systems (MMSs), particularly in dairy systems;
• Improving the efficiency of feed crop production, particularly improving fertilization management.