USA – Land O’Lakes and Mars Wrigley have joined forces to accelerate on-farm dairy sustainability by calling for solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the farm.

The companies have unveiled the ‘Empower Possibilities’ scheme that would allow entrepreneurs and companies provide ideas, products and services to help farmers reduce their carbon footprint.

Call for solution submissions will end June 24, 2019 and the selected solution will be piloted on Land O’Lakes member dairy farm with up to US$200,000 in support from Mars Wrigley.

Participants will have an opportunity to present to an audience of Land O’Lakes members and industry experts while the selected solutions will be supported and implemented with Mars Wrigley’s support.

They will also receive input, coaching and advice from dairy and ag tech leaders to help bring their products and services to scale on the farm.

“Mars has prioritized sustainability throughout our supply chain network, including through our Sustainable in a Generation Plan,” said Ashley Walton, Global Category Director for Dairy, Mars Wrigley.

“We believe the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today.

“To reach our ambitious science-based climate goals, we are working collaboratively to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms.”

This builds on Land O’Lakes’ efforts in reducing greenhouse emissions through renewable energy initiatives.

The company recently partnered California Bioenergy to support the financing, installation and management of on-farm methane digesters to generate renewable compressed natural gas.

This is supported by Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN Innovation Financing, which offers eligible member-owners up to US$3 million in financing for large-scale sustainability projects, including methane digesters.

“Across the dairy sector, entrepreneurs are developing new tools every day to help dairy farmers in all aspects of stewardship, including achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” said Pete Kappelman, Senior Vice President of Member and Government Relations for Land O’Lakes, Inc.

“Dairy farmers are innovative and forward-thinking, and Land O’Lakes is well-positioned to deploy on-farm solutions that can help our dairy-farmer members focus on business results, while also safeguarding natural resources.

“This pitch event is one more way to amplify emerging tools in our industry.”