In this innovative project, we have pioneered the development of the revolutionary DESTiny (Dairy Environment Sustainability) tool. DESTiny empowers dairy farmers to effortlessly embrace sustainable practices, enhance competitiveness and mitigate environmental risks. By harmonising environmental impact with profitability and encouraging consumer trust, DESTiny stands as a science-informed, evidence-based resource for estimating, monitoring and comprehending nutrient and carbon flows in milk production.
DESTiny is a system dynamics model designed to assess carbon capture and storage on dairy farms. It analyses nutrient flows to determine if farms are carbon emission sources or sinks and can be used for individualised carbon footprint assessment. The tool aims to help dairy farmers adopt sustainable practices, improve competitiveness and reduce environmental risks while aligning environmental impact with profitability and building consumer trust.
The South African economy and food security depend heavily on the dairy industry. To address challenges such as regulations, research, market forces, societal expectations and environmental concerns, a customised system dynamics model is essential for the dairy farming sector. This model can enable the estimation of carbon sequestration and assessment of the impact of cows on carbon emissions, taking into account the role of plants in absorbing carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis in the natural carbon and nitrogen cycles.
This tool uses a comprehensive analysis of nutrient availability, pasture production and animal-related factors to accurately estimate carbon emissions and sinks on a farm. It provides a detailed systems view of the entire farm as a production unit, taking into account all major factors necessary for precise calculations of emissions and carbon storage. By utilising this tool, producers, consumers and industry stakeholders can gain a thorough understanding of how carbon moves through their farms, calculate net greenhouse gas emissions, and assess the economic stability of their operations. The different sub-models within this tool are illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Causal loop diagram showing the flow of sources and sinks within a dairy farm system
Notes:
- Red sub-model: belowground
- Green sub-model: aboveground
- Purple sub-model: animal model
- Blue sub-model: within-product
- Orange sub-model: external sources
Plants absorb carbon, converting it into cellulose to aid in their growth and releasing oxygen into the air. When plants decompose, the soil captures the carbon. Herbivores, such as dairy cows, consume these plants and convert them into nutrient-rich food, while also releasing methane into the atmosphere. Fortunately, methane eventually converts back to CO2, which plants can reuse. The carbon cycle from plants is relatively short compared to the lengthy process of C carbon released from fossil fuels being redeposited. This project aims to estimate carbon capture and implement sustainable dairy production strategies. Furthermore, this model will also help identify mitigation strategies and improve regenerative farming. Soil carbon has the potential to effectively mitigate climate change and improve pasture production. It is estimated that soil carbon sequestration can reduce atmospheric carbon by 0.79 to 1.54 gigatons per year.
After completing the development of DESTiny, the next phase involves conducting on-farm visits to gather critical data, refine the model, and validate its accuracy and effectiveness. This rigorous process ensures that the tool accurately represents the impact of diverse dairy management systems. Subsequently, we will integrate the tool with existing models and gain expert input to further bolster its capabilities and overall effectiveness.
Next, we will arrange informative sessions with producers, consultants and industry members to raise awareness and enhance understanding of the DESTiny tool among stakeholders. This initiative aims to provide education about the tool’s practical applications and benefits. Subsequently, we will conduct data analysis and scenario development to gain valuable insights into the effects of various dairy management systems. These insights will then be translated into practical applications for use in educational programmes, empowering farmers and stakeholders to make well-informed decisions.
Finally, a comprehensive policy brief will be prepared, outlining the DESTiny tool’s capabilities and recommendations. This will help promote sustainable practices and informed decision-making in the dairy industry.
The principal research is Riana Reinecke, who is currently a PhD student at Stellenbosch University. With a BSc Agric (Animal Science) & MSc (cum laude) degrees from the University of Pretoria, Riana has worked in various positions within the dairy industry enhancing her expertise in sustainable dairy production and methods to calculate emissions on dairy farms. She is pursuing a PhD program at Stellenbosch University, with the support of Milk-SA, to provide farmers with comprehensive guidance to optimize their enterprises, foster a healthier environment, and contribute to economic profitability. Riana's diverse experience and the valuable input from the research team, including ASSET Research, Stellenbosch University and Milk-SA, equips her with a holistic approach to this research, allowing her to offer valuable advice to farmers on improving their enterprises and promoting sustainable practices within the dairy industry. With her passion and dedication to the cause, Riana and her team are set to bring about a new era of sustainable dairy farming, one that benefits not only farmers but also the environment and society as a whole.
