Net-zero or bust: Dairy groups support it but not sure how to get there

ONTARIO — Yes, milk will be produced with “net-zero” carbon emissions by 2050, a goal publicized earlier this year and recently reaffirmed by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) and Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) to Farmers Forum.

Both organizations expressed confidence that dairy farmers will hit the target 28 years from now. But their plan to get there is as clear as chocolate milk in terms of how dairy farmers will actually achieve the task, what it will cost them, and how or if the goal will be enforced.

It does appear that the Dairy Farmers of Canada hopes that its ‘net zero’ goal will include on-farm carbon sequestration to counterbalance continuing farm emissions — rather than strive to bring emissions from fossil fuels and fertilizers down to zero. DFC says it is working with consulting firm Viresco Solutions and is developing an implementation guide for producers.