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Zero Carbon: climate work at farms

Our target is carbon-neutral food chain from farms to consumers by the end of 2040. New ways of producing food are part of the solution to climate change. Our climate actions reduce emissions and increase carbon sinks.

Together with our contract farmers and other partners, we are moving towards our Zero Carbon target. In primary production, we focus on reducing emissions from feed production and land use, which have a major impact on climate. Promotion of resource efficiency and carbon sequestration in field farming are at the heart of our efforts.

Our priorities of the Zero Carbon climate plan in reducing the environmental impact of agriculture:

  • We reduce the climate impact of animal feed production by optimising the use of fertilisers and other production inputs.
  • We promote carbon sequestration in the fields together with our partners.
  • We develop conditions for more effective circular use of manure, for example in energy production or as a fertiliser.
  • We invite our contract producers to join our climate training and provide tools to develop more sustainable meat production.

ZC_alkutuotanto_EN.PNG

HKScan’s contract farms have long worked to reduce the climate impact, for example by increasing the circular use of manure, introducing solar power and promoting resource efficiency in feed production.

Reducing emissions from primary production requires diverse expertise, so in addition to us and our contract farmers, other companies as well as expert and research organisations will be involved. Together, we will look into new ways to reduce climate impacts and scale good practices across our home markets with an ecosystem-based operating model. HKScan-Climate-actions-on-the-farm-2021.jpg

hiilivuomittaus HKScan

Sensors providing new information on carbon sequestration in fields

We have been measuring the carbon sequestration of crops on our pilot fields since 2020. The results show that good vegetation and high leaf litter increase the carbon sequestration capacity of the field. For example, catch crops and grasses sequester carbon well into autumn. The longer photosynthesis takes place in the field, the better for the environment.

One field hectare can sequester more than 50 kg of carbon dioxide per hour, the equivalent of driving about 300 km in a car.

herne pea HKScan

Arvo circular economy fertiliser increases security of supply

Biolan processes a new type of Arvo fertiliser for field farming from the manure generated in the farming of Kariniemen chickens. By using livestock manure and processed products, valuable nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients and organic matter can be efficiently utilised in line with the circular economy principle. Arvo fertiliser is entirely Finnish, which also increases security of supply.

HKScan pilot farms are using Yara's satellite for precise farming.

Optimising field nutrient use with new technology

For example, on 15 HKScan’s pilot farms in Sweden and 7 in Finland, we use sensors and satellite technology for precision fertilisation of crops. With the new technology, we aim for high yields with a low carbon footprint.

Heikki Puputti

Climate training for our farmers in Finland and Sweden

We train our contract farmers in climate-friendly farming methods in Finland and Sweden. We provide our contract farmers with concrete advice on how to reduce the carbon footprint of their own farm.

Elovaaran tila ja biokaasulaitos

80 pilot farms in Finland, Sweden and Denmark

Our climate work is based on genuine actions! We study and develop climate-friendly primary production on our pilot farms. We scale up best practices to the use of our contract farmers.