Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Economic

Environmental Achievements

• 35% decrease in energy used per unit of soybean production (1980-2011)
• 47% decrease in soil loss per acre of soybean production (1980-2011)
• 33% decrease in irrigation water used per bushel of soybean production (1980-2011)
• 44% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per bushel of soybean production (1980-2011)
• 40% decrease in land use per unit of soybean production (1980-2011)
• 32% reduction in occupational illnesses and accidents in beef production
• 10% improvement in water quality in beef production
• 7% reduction in landfill contributions in beef production
• 3% reduction in water use in beef production
• 2% reduction in resource consumption and energy use in beef production
• 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in beef production
• 59% more milk produced with 64% fewer cows in dairy production
• 65% less water used in dairy production (compared to 70 years ago)
• 90% less land used in dairy production (compared to 70 years ago)
• 76% reduced manure production in dairy production (compared to 70 years ago)
• 63% smaller carbon footprint in dairy production (compared to 70 years ago)
• Hens use a little over half the amount of feed to produce a dozen eggs in poultry/egg production
• 27% more eggs produced per day in poultry/egg production
• 32% less water is used to produce a dozen eggs in poultry/egg production
• A vast majority of hens’ manure is recycled for crop production in poultry/egg production
• Decreased water usage by 41% per pound of pork produced
• Improved feed efficiency by 78% carcass weight per pound of pork produced
• Decreased land usage by 33% per pound of pork produced
• Decreased carbon emissions by 35% per pound of pork produced
• Soil loss per bushel of corn has decreased by 36%
• The energy used to produce a bushel of corn has decreased by 44%
• Corn production has seen a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per bushel by 64%
• Corn yields have increased by 64%
• Sugar beet producers use herbicides with a 90% lower environmental impact since the introduction of glyphosate tolerant seed in 2008
• 25% increase in sugar yield per acre over the past 9 years
• Water use efficiency has improved by 37%
• Trips across the field have vastly reduced, decreasing fuel consumption by up to nearly 50%
• Over a 35 year period, to make one pound of cotton, land use decreased by 48%, soil conservation improved by 36%, irrigation water use decreased by 78%, energy use decreased by 54%, and greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 40%

Social Achievements

• Increased microbial activity in soil due to no-till farming
• 17 acres of pollinator habitat created on one farm
• Use of pig waste as natural fertilizer for neighboring crops
• Recycling of plastic from silage bags, bunker covers, and bales into garbage bags on a dairy farm
• Planting buffer zones to reintroduce native plant and tree species around water sources

Governance Achievements

• Collaboration with numerous agriculture organizations and individual agriculturalists
• Participation in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
• Partnership with state associations to voluntarily submit individual sustainability goals and metrics to a nationwide database
• Partnership with the Honey Bee Health Coalition and the Keystone Monarch Collaboration for enhanced pollinator health and habitat

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Consumers struggle to define sustainability
• Misperceptions of agricultural production practices
• Uncertainty about how terms like “natural,” “local,” “organic” or “conventional” fit into the definition of sustainable food
• Increased consumer demand for sustainably-grown food
• Water scarcity
• Soil erosion
• Air pollution from pesticides and machinery
• Loss of wildlife habitat

Mitigation Strategies

• Adoption of precision agriculture and big data technologies
• Implementation of sustainable farming practices such as no-till farming, cover cropping, and integrated pest management
• Use of drought-resistant seeds
• Optimization of irrigation systems
• Use of buffer strips between crops and waterways
• Creation of natural habitats for birds, pollinators, fish and wildlife
• Participation in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
• Continuous improvement in technology and production methods

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Collaboration with seed companies, animal health, crop protection and fertilizer providers

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Droughts
• Heavy rains
• Inconsistent crop outputs

Opportunities

• Development of drought-resistant seeds
• Optimization of irrigation solutions