Raisio plc Press release 11 November 2009 RAISIO TO CALCULATE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF FEEDS AND INTRODUCE AN ENVIRONMENTAL INDEX FOR GRAIN FARMERS Raisio has introduced an environmental index designed for its contract farmers that provides farmers with information on their energy efficiency. Meanwhile, Raisio Feed will start calculating the carbon footprint of feed mixes. By offering animals feed that caters to their nutritional needs, the environmental emissions from livestock production can be significantly reduced. Raisio Feed is also investing in methane emission research together with the Finland-based dairy company Valio. A new method for measuring the impacts of farming To respond to the grain farmers' need of new methods for measuring environmental impacts and for identifying areas of improvement, Raisio has introduced an environmental index designed to meet the requirements of its contract farmers. The index provides farmers with information on the environmental impacts of their operations and allows them to compare their energy efficiency against other contract farmers' performance. Information will be collected from Raisio's contract farmers every autumn after harvesting together with preliminary samples. The method can also be used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions. Now that the energy efficiency of primary production can be measured, action can also be taken to improve it. The purpose of the index is to promote continuous improvement. Calculating the emissions of feeds Raisio Feed plans to start calculating the carbon footprint of feed mixes this year. These calculations provide information on the sector's own operations and enable the assessment of development measures in the feed chain. Carbon footprint calculation is also an excellent tool for the livestock product processing industry. Precision feeds help reduce emissions Raisio has extremely environmentally conscious customers, which shows very clearly in Raisio Feed's research and development operations. Feed mixes offer an effective way of cutting the environmental impacts of livestock farming. Using phytase enzyme in the feed helps cut phosphorus emissions by 20-30%, and pure aminoacids reduce nitrogen emissions by 20-30%. All efforts start from designing precision feeds on the basis of the animals' studied nutritional needs. Raisio Feed is also investing in methane emission research together with the Finland-based dairy company Valio. Methane is a significant greenhouse gas generated in the digestive systems of ruminant animals eating grass feeds. Methane is produced in the animals' digestive system, and in manure storage and processing. The new precision feeding solutions help reduce the methane emissions of cattle farming. Raisio plc Heidi Hirvonen Communications Manager Tel. +358 50 567 3060 Further information: Pasi Lähdetie, Vice President, Grain Trade Operations, tel. +358 50 360 9075 Bengt-Erik Rosin, Marketing Director, Feed & Malt, tel. +358 50 557 4323 Jaakko Laurinen, Development Manager, Grain Trade Operations, tel. +358 50 558 2576
RAISIO TO CALCULATE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF FEEDS AND INTRODUCE AN ENVIRONMENTAL INDEX FOR GRAIN FARMERS
| Source: Raisio Oyj