Washington Dairy Cows Turn Wasted Food into Environmental Upcycling
June 20 2024 - 10:01AM
In the United States, between 30-40 percent of our food supply is
wasted. We may purchase more food than we need, throw away
leftovers and store what we have incorrectly so that food spoils
too soon. Food waste can put a large dent in our family budgets and
have a severe environmental impact. There are ways to help tackle
food waste according to the Washington Dairy Products Commission -
cows.
A cow has a four-chambered stomach giving them the ability to
process materials that humans cannot digest. Almost 40% of a dairy
cow’s diet can come from byproducts, e.g., distillers’ grain,
bakery waste, damaged fruits, vegetables, and even cotton seeds.
Yes, the leftover part from cotton that makes your clothes!
Dairy cows have the unique ability to convert
byproducts into human food, which also provides beneficial
nutrients to cows while reducing food waste. Consider all the
water, energy, and fuel used to grow, harvest, and transport food
from the farm to your table. When food goes to the trash, it
doesn’t just disappear; it rots in landfills and releases harmful
gases. However, if we repurpose that food, like feeding it to cows,
we can reduce these emissions.
Science into feeding cows“A typical Washington cow will
eat about 75 to 100 pounds of food per day,” said Vincent Watters,
certified dairy cow nutritionist. Dairy farmers work closely with
animal nutritionists to create specialized diets for the herd to
ensure the cows are getting the minerals, nutrients, and vitamins
they need to stay healthy. Sometimes, farmers and nutritionists
work together to find additional foods that can be added to cows’
diets beyond traditional feed ingredients. All byproducts brought
to the farm are tested and supervised by a cow nutritionist.
Environmental StewardsSeattle area dairy farmers Mike and
Leann Krainick work sustainability into everything that they do on
the farm, including collecting bakery waste and spent grain from
local breweries. The Krainicks upcycle five to six million pounds
of food waste per month, which provides a great source of protein
and helps to create a nutritionally balanced diet for their cows.
“Upcycling food byproducts is a win-win for everyone,” says the
Krainicks. “Farmers are able to reduce their feed cost,
manufacturers are able to reduce their disposal fees, and we all
benefit from a lower carbon footprint.”
Cows and Humans: Partners in SustainabilityReducing
food waste can increase food security and can reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. Leading the charge in this effort are our incredible
dairy cows, who have the amazing ability to upcycle inedible food
into valuable feed. Plus, the dedication of our dairy farmers who
will continue to drive innovation in environmental stewardship,
helping to ensure a more sustainable future for all.
- Repurposing Food Waste to Help the Environment
- Cows Help Recycle
Sprince Arbogast
Dairy Farmers of Washington
425-563-3039
sprince@wadairy.org