Tech4RegenAg: a project at the forefront of sustainable dairy farming

Animal production, cattle in particular, has been pointed out as a major source of pollution, namely in greenhouse gas emissions and water contamination with nitrogen. Indeed, it is because of this that livestock sectors, such as dairy farming, have been the target of incentives by the Dutch government (EUR 700M in total) to compensate farmers who voluntarily close livestock sites. Regenerative agriculture (RegenAg) has the potential to provide the sustainability that the dairy industry craves, and depends on, to ensure its long-term maintenance.

Tech4RegenAg is a project that aims to demonstrate the beneficial effects of RegenAg in soil health and milk quality. Also, recommendations will be presented to policymakers that effectively regulate RegenAg at the European level. The demonstration of these benefits will be carried out in commercial farms in order to illustrate this potential in “real-life” settings, and in various contexts. The soil microbiome and physical–chemical properties will be analysed in relation to the accumulation of metabolites in the milk, which reflect its healthy and nutritious profile. Consumer studies will be carried out in order to determine the consumer’s perception of regenerative agriculture and the best way to convey the benefits of RegenAg-produced milk and/or other dairy products within the framework of different marketing strategies.

The project will actively engage various stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, academics, NGOs, and start-ups that are active participants in the RegenAg movement. Tech4RegenAg will harness their knowledge to maximize impact and create awareness to its importance, in order to comply with the ambitions set out by the European Green Deal, and to promote healthy and sustainable food production.