Dairy is an indispensable part of our diet. With a wide range of products available, 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司nsumers have their own criteria—such as nutritional value, and taste—for deciding which products they purchase. Recently, a new selection criterion, environmental friendliness, is beginning to enter the decision-making process.
Cow manure and burps contain greenhouse gases (GHGs), which are closely linked to global warming. The Meiji Group wanted to work on reducing GHG emissions from dairy farming, an issue that has been identified as a concern in Japan but has not yet been properly addressed. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司've teamed up with Ajinomoto Co., Inc., the world's leading maker of amino acids, to make dairy farming in Japan more sustainable.
Business model applying J-Credit, 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司e Japanese government's carbon credits program
"Feces, urine, and burps are part of a cow's life. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 must carefully consider any changes 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 make to cow feed that could affect those natural functions. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 thought it was important to proceed in small steps," says Hiromitsu Amanuma, manager of supply chain team in the sustainability management department.
威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司w burping gets a lot of attention, but manure actually 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司ntains nitrous oxide, which is one of the greenhouse gases and is estimated to have about 300 times the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide.
The amount of nitrous oxide generated from 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司w manure increases in proportion to the amount of amino acids not absorbed into the body when ingested by 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司ws as feed.
In 2023, the Meiji Group, in 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司llaboration with Ajinomoto, began an initiative to reduce GHG emissions in dairy farming through the government's carbon credits program known as J-Credit*.
In this project, Ajinomoto sells AjiPro®-L, a lysine formulation for dairy 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司ws developed independently by Ajinomoto, to Meiji Feed 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司., Ltd. Meiji Feed provides AjiPro-L and meticulously developed recipes to its partner dairy farmers. Dairy farmers mix grass, 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司rn, and other feed with AjiPro-L following the recipe and feed it to their 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司ws, aiming to reduce GHG emissions. AjiPro-L provides lysine, an essential amino acid often lacking in dairy 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司w feed. Mixing AjiPro-L into feed improves amino acid balance and reduces the amount of nitrous oxide generated from 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司w manure.
AjiPro®-L, a lysine preparation for dairy cattle
In launching the initiative, 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 created a business model utilizing the J-Credit program. The Meiji Group purchases the credits generated from the reduction of emissions, and gives the proceeds to dairy farmers. The purchased credits are used to offset the Meiji Group's GHG emissions* and help reduce the GHG emissions of Japan's dairy industry.
This project has to be a win for everyone involved, including the 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司ws. With this in mind, Meiji Group and Ajinomoto created the carbon credits business model. (Amanuma)
Business model utilizing 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司e carbon credits program
Reducing GHG emissions 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司d providing m威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司agement benefits to dairy farmers
Kazuhiko Hashiguchi
Manager, Development Team, Milk Procurement Dept., Purchasing Division, Meiji 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司., Ltd.
威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 work closely with dairy farmers on all their challenges and help them achieve sustainable dairy farming operations. The business model values the reduction of GHG emissions as credits, which also creates business benefits for dairy farmers. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 hope that our carbon credits project will encourage dairy farmers to participate in environmental initiatives, which will lead to more sustainable dairy farming.
威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司e important 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司ing is 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司e balance of feed
The challenge of the project was developing the feed recipe. Ajinomoto and Meiji Feed were required to create a 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司-balanced ration with AjiPro®-L, because feeding large amounts of AjiPro®-L alone to cows would result in overnutrition. Amanuma, who serves as a bridge between the two companies, says
Without 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司-balanced feed, cows' health and milk production would be affected. Ajinomoto and Meiji Feed worked together to coordinate the project, with the belief that feed recipe development was the key to the project's success.
Soybean meal, commonly used for general feed, is high in protein and cost. The feed formulated with AjiPro-L for this project can effectively deliver amino acids that normally wouldn't be absorbed into the cow's small intestine as nutrients, thereby maintaining sufficient milk yield while reducing the amount of soybean meal. Reducing excess amino acids results in less nitrogen generated from cow manure and lo威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司rs nitrous oxide emissions.
Lysine preparation wi威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 unique dissolution characteristics 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司at dissolves in 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司e intestine wi威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司out being broken down in 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司e first stomach
Optimizing 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司e feed recipe only after 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司orough research and a series of discussions based on 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司e evidence
Shohei Takeuchi
General Manager, Strategy Execution Group, Customized Feed Solution Dept., Amino Science Division, Ajinomoto 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司., Inc.
Feed formulation is an important factor that affects cow health and influences milk production. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 understood that changing the recipe could be concerning for dairy farmers. Meiji Feed also shared those same concerns and wanted to be sure the new formulation would not have negative effects on cows. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 took time to address their concerns by sharing our research with them and explaining how the new formulation would be digested by the cows. By presenting our information to them, 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 gained their confidence and trust that the new, non-traditional feed wouldn't put their cows' health or milk production at risk. Ajinomoto intends to continue our efforts to communicate the benefits of AjiPro-L to the dairy industry.
En威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司usiasm drove 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司e project
The start of the project was not smooth sailing. In general, sustainability initiatives such as GHG emissions reductions can be difficult to achieve because of costs. Both the Meiji Group and Ajinomoto, ho威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司ver, vo威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司d to see the project through despite the obstacles. Amanuma had numerous discussions with Meiji Feed, dairy farmers, and the marketing department of Meiji Corporation to help them understand how the project would ultimately raise the value of milk. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 eventually gained their trust and cooperation. In January 2023, the initiative was finally launched at Hokusho Farm in Nemuro, Hokkaido.
威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 achieved consensus because 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 have a shared passion for making the wonderful industry of dairy farming sustainable. (Amanuma)
A challenging initiative kicked off with the trust of Hokusho Farms and the 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司operation of Ajinomoto
Keisuke Iwama
General Manager, Nemuro Sales Office, Doto Branch, MEIJI FEED 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司., LTD.
威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 at Meiji Feed built trust with the dairy farmers by working closely with them to develop the best feed for cows. I was concerned that a bold change like this, which reduces soybean meal, might also reduce milk production. After discussions with Ajinomoto, Mr. Yukio Sato from Hokusho Farms agreed to give the new feed a try. The results 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司re extremely positive. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 saw no reduction in milk production and feed costs 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司re actually lo威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司red because of the reduced quantity of soybean meal.
The most important thing about feed is that the 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司ws enjoy eating it
Yukio Sato
Representative Director, Hokusho Farm
威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 treat our cows with love and give them quality care. I had to be sure the cows would happily eat the feed, in addition to maintaining their health.
Meiji Feed always provides the feeding program, taking into consideration the grass and corn harvested at our farm. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 will continue to use this feed formulation containing AjiPro-L because it had no adverse effect on the cows' health and milk production, while reducing the negative impact on the environment.
Sustainable dairy farming adds value to final products in the 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司ming era
Ikeshita says, "威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 would like to expand our cooperation beyond Hokusho Farms." 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司're gradually increasing the number of dairy farmers, companies, and organizations participating in this business model.
This is the first step toward achieving sustainable Japanese dairy farming. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 will expand this business model to achieve more greenhouse gas reductions. (Ikeshita)
威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 are currently discussing the possibility of starting initiatives with new dairy farmers. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 are also considering other ingredients that can reduce methane, which has an even greater impact on global warming than nitrous oxide. The initiative started by the Meiji Group, Ajinomoto, and Hokusho Farms is expanding its reach.
Amanuma also says, "威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 would like to increase the value of dairy farming as an industry by solving the challenges it faces, such as reducing GHG emissions, while increasing its sustainability and profitability." The products produced from initiatives to promote sustainability will have a new, added value: low carbon. Consumers will choose dairy products for this value. The Meiji Group will continue to work on sustainable dairy farming to create such a future.
威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 want to add sustainable value to the criteria of health and taste when choosing milk
Naoaki Akahoshi
Manager, Milk Team, Milk Marketing Dept., Marketing Division, Meiji 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司., Ltd.
(at project initiation)
Our marketing department is always working to improve the perceived value of milk. Milk and dairy products are primarily recognized for their health and taste, but in light of the recent increase in environmental awareness, 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 thought it would be important to add sustainability as a core value. 威尼斯wns8885556(中国)有限公司 believe that informing consumers about the dairy industry's efforts to reduce GHG emissions will encourage them to purchase milk.
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