DFC's Greenhouse Gas Calculator Pilot Project
A greenhouse gas calculator can help farmers track their operation's progress over time and demonstrate the meaningful actions being taken on Canadian dairy farms.
Since 2022, Canadian dairy farmers have been committed to working towards the goal of net zero by 2050, aiming to balance reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with carbon sequestration. Reaching this goal means having a better understanding of the sources of emissions and which on-farm actions can help to reduce them.
DFC has been working closely with the provincial dairy associations to develop initiatives that test and expand the range of tools available to dairy farmers on their sustainability journeys. This includes GHG calculators, which can be a powerful tool for individual farmers and the broader dairy sector.
Measuring emissions with a GHG calculator can offer farmers more information to make decisions for their businesses, families, and future generations.
What is a Greenhouse Gas Calculator?
A GHG calculator is a tool farmers can use to estimate the carbon footprint of their farming operations. It uses farm data to quantify the balance between on-farm greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon sequestration - the process of capturing carbon dioxide from the air and storing it in the ground.
GHG calculators can show how on-farm practices influence greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers can analyze the data and examine how different choices could reduce emissions or improve carbon sequestration. They can also offer the ability to benchmark against individual, national, and international metrics.
Round One of DFC's pilot project tested a calculator called the Cool Farm Tool, with 41 farms across the country participating. Round Two involved 54 farms testing an updated version of the Cool Farm Tool called the Cool Farm Platform in English-speaking provinces, and a tool called Agriclimat in Quebec. On-farm advisors helped participating farmers with data collection, reviewing the results and recommending best practices that could help reduce emissions further.
Why do dairy farmers choose to use Greenhouse Gas Calculators?
GHG calculators can give farmers a different perspective of their farms. They can turn data from everyday management decisions into measurable insights and actions that affect their bottom lines, offering opportunities to enhance business efficiency while also strengthening sustainability outcomes.
“We wanted to be able to quantify all of our decisions, so we knew we were making the right decisions,” said one participating farmer.
Of course, Canadian dairy farmers are all unique, and Canada is a big country – farms work in many different climates and ecosystems. A GHG calculator can help farmers track their operation's progress over time and demonstrate the meaningful actions being taken on Canadian dairy farms.
The biggest need is data, and dairy farmers can begin tracking that before they use a GHG calculator. They can start by proactively tracking data related to herd characteristics, production, manure management, cropping inputs, feed, and fuel and energy use. The information can provide a baseline of data for their individual operations.
Measuring emissions matters to all members of the dairy supply chain
Demonstrating measurable progress builds trust and strengthens positive perceptions of dairy farming and dairy products. This was one of the most common motivating factors for participants of Round Two, and it’s why many processors and retailers in the Canadian and international dairy sectors also have sustainability targets.
Farmers who participated appreciated seeing results for their farms but also saw benefits for the Canadian dairy industry and consumers.
"I really wanted [a baseline] for my farm. Then any changes I make in the future show that I'm becoming more sustainable,” said another participant, adding, “People want to know where their food's coming from.”
For processors and retailers, working towards these goals means addressing indirect emissions sources from all stages of their supply chain, including GHG emissions from dairy farms. When farmers can better understand what works, what doesn't, and where they need assistance in reducing carbon emissions, everyone can benefit from progress towards shared goals.
“Sustainability is not just an environmental initiative or work that we talk about; it’s really a core of supply management and an economic reality,” said DFC CEO Annie AcMoody. “The sustainability efforts of farmers are becoming more visible and more valuable.”
Voluntary science-based GHG calculator results provide proof points for sustainability across the entire Canadian dairy supply chain. This way, when consumers see the Blue Cow Logo identifying 100% Canadian dairy, they’ll also connect it to the practices and progress behind Canadian dairy farming.