KW Feeds said environmental impact mitigation on farm is dominated by feed ingredient supply, and the livestock industry needs to embrace alternative approaches to feeding advice and rations.

Addressing a Net Zero Carbon webinar organised by the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL) and the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS), Dr Michael Marsden, KW Feeds product development director, said industry needs to act now, with a focus on productivity and profitability in combination with meeting environmental targets.

“The term Net Zero is used almost daily and it is safe to accept that everything from livestock product contracts to future farm support will undoubtedly be increasingly influenced by environmental responsibilities and sustainability goals,” Dr Marsden said.

“If anything, COP 26 simply highlighted the fact that in the UK livestock sector, there has been plenty of talk, but little in the way of real action. If we are going to make a difference, we need to do something more radical if we are to keep pace with the likes of Denmark and Holland.”

The ‘Net Zero Carbon: How We Can Meet UK Livestock Targets’ online seminar brought together experts from industry, government and research institutes, all involved in identifying and implementing the most effective solutions to help meet UK livestock Net Zero carbon targets.

Dr Mark Young, head of innovation at CIEL, also addressed delegates and stakeholders attending the virtual event, giving an introduction into the natural cycles of carbon and nitrogen associated with farmed livestock, emphasising that it was not just about emissions.

He talked of the close relationship between sustainability and efficiency, flagging up CIEL’s own 2020 report ‘Net Zero Carbon & UK Livestock’ and the challenge livestock agriculture faces.