FCC incentivizes sustainability in Canadian dairy sector

Canada’s dairy farmers will be able to move closer toward their net-zero goals, thanks to a collaboration with Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) and Lactanet that incentivizes producers to make their operations more sustainable.

Canadian dairy producers who are FCC customers and meet sustainability requirements can access an incentive payment up to $2,000 through the FCC Sustainability Incentive Program starting this September.

“FCC is pleased to be growing its incentive program into the dairy sector with the support of Dairy Farmers of Canada,” said Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO. “It’s through partnerships like this that we are able to support and recognize producers who use beneficial management practices to enhance the sustainability of their operations.”

The collaboration announcement was made at the Dairy Farmers of Canada annual general meeting in Winnipeg.

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has set a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from on-farm dairy production by 2050. This goal was set knowing how far the sector has come along already: Canada's dairy sector has one of the lowest carbon footprints for dairy in the world at less than half the global average.

“Dairy farmers are integral to the success of the Canadian agriculture industry and looking after our animals and the environment has been foundational for generations,” said Pierre Lampron, President of Dairy Farmers of Canada. “We appreciate FCC’s Sustainability Incentive Program, which bolsters our efforts to amplify the value of adopting sustainable practices on Canadian dairy farms.”

The criteria to qualify for the Sustainability Incentive Program payment will be a combination of herd sustainability metrics and proAction^tm environment module results. Producers on milk recording with Lactanet will be able to utilize the recently launched Herd Sustainability Index results, while those not on milk recording will also be able to qualify through providing similar metrics. Full details on the qualifying requirements are to come this fall.

FCC’s Sustainability Incentive Program continues to look for partnerships with other sectors to support Canadian producers in their sustainability journeys.

FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture and food lender, dedicated to the industry that feeds the world. FCC employees are committed to the long-standing success of those who produce and process Canadian food by providing flexible financing, AgExpert business management software, information and knowledge. FCC provides a complement of expertise and services designed to support the complex and evolving needs of food businesses. As a financial Crown corporation, FCC is a stable partner that reinvests profits back into the industry and communities it serves. For more information, visit fcc.ca.

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Jill McAlister
Corporate Communication 
Farm Credit Canada
306-540-4840
jill.mcalister@fcc.ca