Re-evaluating your chemical choices in the milking parlour can reduce carbon emissions

Apr 17, 2019

Deosan is breaking new ground to help to make dairy better for the environment, and reduce running costs for the farmer through the use of modern hygiene products.

 

By re-evaluating their choice of chemicals, farmers can reduce carbon emissions by up to 1.6 Metric Tonnes per year, Deosan research has found.

 

Dr Daniel Daggart PhD is Executive Director of Sustainability at Diversey, says "We are looking at the whole supply chain for all Diversey cleaning solutions, with an aim to increase the sustainability value and efficiency of all products."

 

With increased pressures to reduce methane and carbon emissions from the farm, many farmers are already taking steps to reduce energy consumption and methane emissions by installing green energy systems such as solar panels or domestic wind turbines.

 

"Helping dairy farmers better care for the environment is a key priority for the Deosan brand. Improving energy and carbon efficiencies is an initiative that Deosan strongly supports and will contribute to a sustainable and carbon efficient dairy farming sector", says Daniel.

 

Diversey’s experience and expertise in the beverage sector has provided valuable research in this area, formulating similar products with equal requirements to ensure safe and high-quality food products.

 

Explaining how farmers can benefit, Daniel continues, "Too many people are using the wrong chemicals in their parlours if they want to improve energy efficiency. By simply looking closer at more modern hygiene products which harness the power of natural chemistry and are effective when used in lower water temperatures, farmers will see an environmental benefit without compromising hygiene efficiency.

 

The research findings are based on the ability to remove one hot wash from a twice (or three times) per day parlour wash routine. In order to achieve this, at least one of the hot washes must reach 60-65 degrees for at least 3 minutes of the wash, using the correct chemical concentration, with an end wash temperature of no lower than 54 degrees.

 

The Deosan Acidbrite© product is designed to work effectively using cold water below a temperature of 10 degrees C and contains a foam suppressant complex which ensures a ‘flat wash solution’ even under high turbulence. This achieves full reach of all surfaces and parts for complete chemical interaction.

 

"Every chemical is designed to deliver the highest performance at its lowest active dose rate, and never sacrifices hygiene standards in doing so," says Daniel. The research behind these products has revealed some remarkable carbon efficiency figures; the 1.6 Metric Tonne reduction in carbon emissions per year is equivalent to:

 

  • Growing 26 tree seedlings for 10 years.
  • Charging 200,000 smartphones
  • Burning 180 gallons of gasoline
  • Methane emissions of 1 cow

 

In turn, this will also reduce the running costs on the farm, due to not having to heat the water for circulation cleaning. Furthermore, the alternative process will not damage equipment or liners.