No matter what business you are in, having an edge on the market only makes sense. A company’s carbon footprint is very important in today’s marketplace. Are you being a REBEL and identifying your’s? Alltech ECO2 collects farm information, calculates the carbon footprint and then helps put plans into place to reduce that footprint. Andrew Wynne, Business General Manager for Alltech ECO2, was one of the speakers in the beef and dairy breakout sessions at this year’s Alltech REBELation and shared that this calculation and plan creates stronger economic performance for farmers.

“We need to look at it as an opportunity and not a threat. All the fundamentals in dairy and beef production are looking at feed, animal performance and health. All crucial to carbon footprinting. If your business is functioning well, using good resources, you will reduce your carbon footprint. Ask yourself the question and be curious about carbon. And see where it can help your business improve it’s performance.”

Changing management in an operation isn’t easy and many think of it as a big expense. Andrew reminds producers that reducing carbon footprints will actually save money. “It’s really about understanding where you are today through measurement and managing that by putting a plan into place, setting yourself targets to work towards to bring about efficiency savings which will save your business money as well.”

Consumers are becoming more aware of the negative image some media have given the ruminant sector. Andrew said we have to embrace that as an industry by calculating and measuring to be then able to robustly defend our industry using the data produced.

Andrew said that some of the largest misconceptions are around fuel and electricity. Many believe that they are both large contributors to an operations carbon footprint. But they are actually only about 6-7% of the total. The animals themselves are actually the largest contributors along with the feed that goes into them. “Our biggest task is educating farmers and consumers. It’s about good nutritional programs and good monitoring of performance allowing you to adapt to any problems and issues quickly.”

Listen to my complete interview with Andrew here: Interview with Andrew Wynne, Alltech ECO2

Don’t forget to check out photos from the event here: 2015 Alltech REBELation Photo Album