Agriculture Needs to Have a Say on Climate Change

Written by: Guest   |   September 8, 2020

IFEEDER, Environmental footprint

Chad Risley, Ph.D.
General Manager & CEO, Berg+Schmidt America, LLC

During my COVID-19 stay-at-home experience, I have had more time to read a variety of e-newsletters and participate in educational webinars. Much of the focus has been on the immediate and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry. However, one theme that is always in the background and occasionally steps to the forefront is: climate change.

Personally, I rarely give climate change much thought, except to shake my head when someone proclaims, “the end of the world is near.” And why should I spend time thinking about climate change? My family and I are doing our part by limiting food waste, keeping the thermostat set to a reasonable temperature and driving a hybrid vehicle. Even the industry I work in – agriculture – has and continues to address climate change and sustainability by striving for better efficiency.

Agriculture is using less land, less water, less feed, less nutrient excretion, while at the same time producing more crops, more milk, more meat and more eggs. While this is all wonderful progress, our industry continues to get more than its fair share of the greenhouse gas blame.

We frequently see news reports on new legislation on regulating GHG emissions from livestock farms. Bold and unrealistic climate change bills and programs (think the New Green Deal) are being touted. New goals are being set, such as having the U.S. reach carbon neutrality by 2050. There is talk of carbon taxes being implemented. Large food-service entities are promoting  on-farm solutions to methane (e.g., Burger King and lemongrass). The momentum is building and something will be done. Agriculture must have a say!

This is where the American Feed Industry Association and Institute for Feed Education and Research can play a role. The AFIA continues to be the voice for the total animal food industry and proactively works with our legislators to guide them to promulgate reasonable regulations. The IFEEDER is addressing climate change through the Life Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership and Global Feed LCA Institute (GFLI) and will expand its efforts. In addition, the IFEEDER is supporting efforts to get the correct message out about agriculture’s commitment to sustainability and addressing climate change, such as its support of neutral, objective research and outreach at the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) Center at the University of California-Davis.

The IFEEDER also tackles information gaps that may exist. Research supported by the IFEEDER highlighted how much a broken feed ingredient approval process costs our industry and impedes innovation. That research resulted in securing more funds for the Food and Drug Administration to hire additional, much-needed reviewers. The IFEEDER is also funding a project to find out how much it would cost the animal food industry to switch to genetically modified-free feeds. GFLI funding is helping develop appropriate environmental models for feeding livestock and poultry. These efforts are important to acquire the knowledge and data necessary to make informed, not emotional, decisions about climate change.

My company, and I, personally, have been financial supporters of the IFEEDER since its inception. In addition, I have had the privilege of serving on the IFEEDER Board of Trustees and chairing its Research Committee, which has allowed me to give my time to a worthy cause and a fantastic industry.

There will be more challenges and opportunities ahead for the animal food industry. We can be more prepared for these upcoming challenges by taking an active role in the AFIA and financially supporting the IFEEDER.