Denmark (DK) must reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by 70% in 2030 compared to 1990 level and become CO2 neutral in 2050 at the latest (6). Close to half the CO2 output of the total Carbon
Footprint (CF) of beef production is related to enteric methane (CH4) production in the rumen during digestion and fermentation of feed.
Finding solutions to mitigate CH4 emissions from cattle is therefore of high priority if these commitments are to be achieved.
The focus of the GreenCalf project is to reduce CH4 emissions from dairy-beef production, and the
project is in alignment with GUDP’s action areas Climate and Economic growth. If the project is
successful, there will be several CH4-mitigating products with documented effects available for dairy-
beef cattle farmers in DK.
The knowledge and evidence gained in this project will provide a strong data
foundation, which will be used in DC’s newly developed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model and will
create new commercial opportunities securing no risk of “greenwashing”. DC will release a novel
concept of beef with reduced CF, the first of its kind in DK and with good export opportunities.
The knowledge and scientific proof gained in the project wil be brought together into a new beef concept, which will be tested on the market midway throughout the project. The concept will be tested at a Danish supermarket as part of the project and will be ready to go to market by the end om the project period.
Throughout the project, results and knowledge gained will be disseminated in a variety of ways utilizing
the partners’ normal channels of communication. End-users will be the main target, namely farmers,
advisors, scientists, and consumers.
Information will be disseminated though the existing farmers network and various
annual meetings. Dansk Kalv farmers have three network platforms where the project and the results
will be presented, while SEGES arranges an annual Fodringsdag and DLG have several feeding
seminars yearly where status and results of the project can be disseminated. Results will also be presented at the yearly Kvægkongres in Denmark.
