Finnish dairy farms pilot carbon reduction methods to lower emissions in Kauhajoki

Dairy production is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint, which necessitates changes both in the fields and in the barns. The primary sources of emissions are cultivation on peatlands, manure management, and methane emissions. Four Finnish dairy farms will test methods over the coming years to reduce emissions without significantly increasing costs. “This is based on scientific research, and we are now testing measures in practice where emissions occur most, namely on farms,” says development manager Robert Harmoinen.

One of the pilot farms is Luoma Farm in Kauhajoki, which has 100 hectares of land and 60 cows in a free-stall barn, alongside the same number of young cattle. Two generations of the Luoma family—Virpi and Jukka, along with their son Jaakko—are involved in the farm’s operations. Jaakko is confident that they can become carbon neutral by 2035 by implementing practical actions in both fields and barns.

As Valio monitors the effectiveness of emissions-reducing measures on these pilot farms over five years, the impact on their economy will also be assessed. Methane emissions from cows are a significant concern in the milk production chain. The largest emitter in primary production is the cow itself. “We aim to reduce methane emissions through feeding solutions,” remarks Jaakko Luoma, noting that the inclusion of mineral feed can decrease cow methane emissions by 25-30%.

The Luomas are pioneers in carbon farming, focusing on soil structure and water management. They avoid unnecessary heavy machinery on their fields, even paying attention to tire pressure. Their pilot site will install a measurement tower to monitor soil carbon sequestration for five years. The transition to carbon neutrality begins with careful dietary planning for the cows, which helps maintain their health and milk production efficiency.

Renewable energy is also part of the sustainability strategy, with the Luomas generating a fifth of their energy needs through solar power. Biogas could reduce emissions from manure treatment by over a third by 2030, although constructing their biogas plant is currently economically unviable. Meanwhile, acceptance for 12 biogas projects is pending EU approval, aimed at utilizing farm manure as raw material for gas production.