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Facing the environmental challenge of agriculture

Facing the environmental challenge of agriculture. «The mission of humanity is to transform solar energy into consciousness.”, Patrick Viveret, philosopher. Contents. Introduction - the GE+ program framework. Objectives and values.

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Facing the environmental challenge of agriculture

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  1. Facing the environmental challenge of agriculture «The mission of humanity is to transform solar energy into consciousness.”, Patrick Viveret, philosopher

  2. Contents Introduction - the GE+ program framework Objectives and values A transparent and farm-scale site for demonstration, experimentation and innovation Results and perspective for milk production Positive communication and civic education

  3. Introduction - the GE+ program framework Objectives and values A transparent and farm-scale site for demonstration, experimentation and innovation Results and perspective for milk production Positive communication and civic education

  4. Introduction: the GE+ program framework Stakeholders The “Grignon Energie Positive” program (GE+) is a multi-party project, which takes place at AgroParistech’s experimental farm in Grignon. The Grignon farm Private and public partners

  5. Introduction: the GE+ program framework Focus on AgroParisTech AgroParisTech is the Institute of technology for life, food and environmental sciences. • AgroParisTech results from the merger of 3 historical Graduate Institutes in Science and Engineering with strong identities. • AgroParisTech has two main objectives: the training of engineers, doctors and managers in the field of life sciences and environment, and the production of knowledge (research and development) in partnership with major research and technical professional centers. • AgroParisTech Key figures: 8 campuses, 2 000 students including 450 PhD students, 230 professors, 300 researchers, 39 research laboratories. * *3 sites: Paris, Grignon and Massy

  6. Introduction: the GE+ program framework The Grignon farm strengths The Grignon experimental farm is open to the general public, and benefits from a strong reputation, a high-level scientific environment, and a strong potential for innovation. DEEP-ROOTED REPUTATION Historical site (1848), participation to the creation of sheep breeds Ile-de-France & INRA 401 etc. EXCEPTIONAL SCIENTIFIC ENVIRONMENT Proximity of researchers working on the environment, on climate, animal science etc. (INRA, CETIOM, etc.) STRONG INNOVATION POTENTIAL Mission historically dedicated to research and experimentation with available innovative techniques LOCATION AND VISIBILITY Location on the outskirts of Paris, site opened to the general public, guided visits for young students

  7. Introduction: the GE+ program framework Description of the farm productions The Grignon farm is a mixed-farming system, which enables the study of interactions between livestock and crops. • LIVESTOCK • 120 dairy cows (1.2 million liters quota) • 500 ewes (meat and breeding) • CROPS • 550 hectares split in 3 main parts(Grignon, Bois-d’Arcy & Palaiseau) • Cereals: 275 ha • Maize: 82 ha • Rapeseed: 30 ha • Grassland and fodder crops: 148 ha • Fallow: 12 ha • Energetic crops: 3 ha PROCESSING & CONDITIONING 400 000 L of processed milk (yogurts, bottled milk and cheese) DIRECT SELLING EDUCATION

  8. Introduction - the GE+ program framework Objectives and values A transparent and farm-scale site for demonstration, experimentation and innovation Results and perspective for milk production Positive communication and civic education

  9. Objectives and values Origins of the project The “Grignon Énergie Positive” project was launched in 2005, in a context of rising oil prices and active debates about agriculture efficiency and environmental impacts. Oil price / scarcity Image in the society Agriculture at the crossroads of many challenges Climate change Climate change Feeding the World Water quality Water quality Demographic explosion Biodiversity loss Biodiversity loss

  10. Objectives and values Values and structure of the project The GE+ project addresses the issues of possible and desirable adjustments of agriculture and food sectors to the challenges of fossil fuel scarcity and global warming, with two complementary approaches. Demonstration and innovation Exploration of innovative solutions to meet the environmental challenges of agriculture, linked to GHG(1) emissions and fossil energy consumption (communication of results to professionals included in this axis) Positive communication and civic education The Positive communication axis aims at pointing out that modern agriculture can face the environmental challenges, while the Civic education axis aims at explaining these issues to the general public, especially children. (1): Greenhouse Gas

  11. Objectives and values The GE+ initial diagnosis The project started with an in-depth diagnosis of the farm, highlighting the contribution of each activity to the fossil energy consumptions and GHG emissions in 2005. Animal production Feed purchase: 18.4% CH4 emissions from cows: 22% Tractors CH4 emissions from sheep: 22% Fuel oil: 22.6% Legends: Fuel oil: 9% Building and Dairy Major items of fossil energy consumption Electricity: 11.2% CH4 Major items of GHG emissions (in % of the warming potential) N2O CO2 Fossil energy consumption: 17 164 GJ (408 t o eq.) = 102 people GHG emissions: 2 627 t CO2e = 440 people Crop production Fertilizer production: 29.6% N2O emissions following the fertilization: 20% Fertilizer production: 9%

  12. Objectives and values The 3 P’s approach The main objective of GE+ is to meet the challenge of improving energy and GHG performances while maintaining the economic margin, and preserving or enhancing the capacity to feed people. • In terms of environmental performance, our objective is to reduce the farm's carbon emissions as much as possible through agronomic solutions and to compensate locally (on the farm and its surroundings) the emissions we cannot eliminate. • We also aim at becoming a positive energy farm: able to produce energy for society. • But we also think that progress towards environmental sustainability should not disengage agriculture from economic profit and capacity to feed people. The 3 P’s hat trick: • Positive energy farm • Carbon neutral farm • Feed people

  13. Objectives and values Act 1: concrete and tangible results At the end of the 1st act of GE+ (2006-2009), tangible results were obtained, with a significant improvement of Grignon farm’s environmental performance. Perspective of Grignon’s environmental and food results: Evolution of GHG emissions due to milk production in Grignon (2006-2009): “Plate Planet” game animation for a primary school class in London: Emitted CO2 (g/liter of milk): Grignon farm consumes as much fossil fuel as 100 people and emits as much greenhouse gas as 440 people... ... But it can feed between 7500 and 9500 people (based on human needs in calories and proteins).

  14. Objectives and values Towards Act 2… During the 2nd act of GE+ (2010 – 2013), new environmental indicators will be integrated and the scope of intervention will be expanded. • Our interests in environmental issues will go beyond the GHG emissions and fossil fuel consumptions problems, and will include the following new indicators: • Biodiversity • Water quality • Variation of soil carbon stock • Farming system protein autonomy • Risk management The environmental issue will go beyond the GHG emissions and fossil fuel consumptions problems, and will include the following of new indicators: • The scope of intervention of GE+ will be expanded at different levels: • Exportation of tools and methods from Grignon farm to a whole network of demonstration farms on energy and GHG issues • Participation of GE+ to other research and experimentation programs (UMT N20, EcoPhyto 2018) • Change of scale: from the farm to the territory • Integration of an industrial channel approach

  15. Introduction - the GE+ program framework Objectives and values A transparent and farm-scale site for demonstration, experimentation and innovation Results and perspective for milk production Positive communication and civic education

  16. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site PerfAgro P3: presentation of the tool Political and economic context Purchase of crops inputs Purchase of livestock feed CROPS LIVESTOCK • Areas • Yields • Crop management • Rotation constraints • Diet according to age • Grazing calendar • Etc. Fodder nutritional values Effluents fertilization values LIVESTOCK OUTPUTS CROPS OUTPUTS Global performance of the system described into details

  17. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site PerfAgro P3 performance indicators (the 3 P’s) CROPS LIVESTOCK Global performance of the system described into details GLOBAL PERFORMANCE of the system described into details Examples of output indicators Economic margin(€/an) Etc. Quantity of work(hours/yr) Dairy cow diet at different lactation stages GHG emissions Fossil fuel used on the farm (MJ/an) Cost of constraints (milk quota, farm area , etc.) Number of people fed

  18. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site • Example of a crop-livestock farm: initial situation Cultivated area: 392 ha – 3 zones, 117 dairy cows (1 050 000 L/yr), 153 bull calves, 2 broiler houses 400 m2 (estimations)

  19. formances (1) A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site • A crop-livestock farm: performance pathways

  20. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site • Environmental performance follow-up • We keep analytical accounts of GHG emissions & energy consumptions of all farm activities on a monthly basis thanks to the "environmental dashboard". Information on cropping systems Impact coefficients Material & energy flows Environmental performance dashboard • Detection of levers for improvement of agricultural and processing activities • Critical examination of impact coefficients • Adaptability to other farms 1 2 Monthly calculation of performance indicators 3

  21. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site • Measurement of N20 emissions from crops Since 2008, we have been developing a reliable and effective platform for the measurement of N2O emissions from our 8 types of crops. 1 2 3 4 x 3 Gradient Time • Better knowledge and understanding of crops’ impacts on climate • Contribution to and questioning of existing references on N2O emissions from crops • Important interannual variations of emission coefficients

  22. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site • Measurement of cows’ enteric methane emissions (1/2) Since 2009, enteric methane emissions from cows have been measured using a method based on the SF6 tracer technique. 1 2 3 • SF6 capsule • PVC evacuated tube • Capillary tube reaching the cow’s nostrils (1) 1 • Better understanding of mechanisms underlying enteric methane emission • Contribution to and questioning of existing references 333 ± 98 g CO2e 2 (1): neither the CH4 emissions from excrements, nor the emissions from non productive cows are included (heifers, dry cows)

  23. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site • Biodiversity follow-up Since 2009, we have been following 3 groups of species depending on agricultural practices and implementing a biodiversity diagnosis (IBEA). • Better understanding of the impact of our practices on biodiversity • Contribution to references on agricultural biodiversity • Testing and questioning of existing biodiversity indicators 1 Selected indicators 2 Flora indentification on barley field, May 2009 Bird observation, May 2009 3 Melanargia galathea, June 2009 Cynthia cardui, July 2009 Aphantopus hyperantus, June 2009

  24. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site • In progress: water quality follow-up • Diagnoses of nitrate & pesticide lixiviation risks have been made. A water quality assessment system based on lysimetrical boxes will soon be set up. 1 2 3 • Sketch of a lysimetrical box • Polyethylene containers • Connecting pipe 1 • References on lixiviation of nitrates and other active substances • Potential data supply for models 2

  25. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site • A high-potential experimental capacity Thanks to our expertise on agricultural practices & different measurement techniques, we are now able to conduct experiments on several topics. 3 1 2 Ability to test different feeding strategies on productivity & enteric methane emissions Ability to test new machines or technologies (e.g. chaff harvesting) Ability to test different technical itineraries (e.g. fertilization strategies)on N2O emissions

  26. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site • Indicators follow-up beyond Grignon farm With several agricultural cooperatives, we are building up a network of energy and GHG demonstration farms based on Grignon’s experience. 3 4 1 2 PerfAgro audit of the farm and identification of improvement pathways Identification of technical solutions applicable to the farm and approval by farmer and cooperative Definition of pertinent environmental performance indicators and setting up of a follow-up system Implementation of selected technical solutions and indicator follow-up The network now groups 9 crop-livestock farms of the West of France at stage 3.

  27. Introduction - the GE+ program framework Objectives and values A transparent and farm-scale site for demonstration, experimentation and innovation Results and perspective for milk production Positive communication and civic education

  28. Results and perspectives for milk production • A virtuous dynamic in milk production Since 2006, energy consumptions and greenhouse gas emissions due to milk production have been decreasing by respectively 40% and 20%. Standard milk (70g of protein & fat), economic allocation between milk and meat

  29. A transparent and farm-scale experimentation site • Milk quality versus environmental performance The milk quality must not be degraded by improvement of its environmental performance, and is followed very closely. Grignon’s milk (1): Conjugated Linoleic Acid

  30. Results and perspectives for milk production • Grignon's outstanding performance Milk production in Grignon emits a relatively low quantity of GHG compared to other milks produced worldwide.

  31. Results and perspectives for milk production • The environmental impact of yogurts The environmental performance of milk production in Grignon affects positively the performance of Grignon’s yogurt. * Agricultural steps of milk production in Grignon (70%) and of production of milk powder (30%) which is added to the yogurt

  32. Results and perspectives for milk production • Farm step: the key for performance 20% of CO2 saved

  33. Results and perspectives for milk production • Factors involved in milk production performance 80% of the decrease in fossil fuel consumption due to milk production can be accounted for by feed (type of feed and cow productivity).

  34. Results and perspectives for milk production • Factors involved in milk production performance Productivity is a lever for environmental performance: one high producing cow emits less CO2 than two low productive cows - 30%

  35. Results and perspectives for milk production • Factors involved in yogurt performance Milk heating is the key-factor in direct fossil fuel consumptions of yogurt processing. This energy consumption assessment does not take into account annex energy consumptions (cleaning, factory heating, lighting etc.) Milking Pasteurization Cold milk storage Packaging Steaming Accelerated cooling Storage

  36. Results and perspectives for milk production • Solutions for environmental impact mitigation The following good practices will be progressively implemented on the farm from 2010 on, in order to mitigate the environmental impacts.

  37. Results and perspectives for milk production • Solutions for the yogurt production process New practices might be implemented in order to optimize the yogurt production process.

  38. Results and perspectives for milk production • Solutions for environmental impact compensation New solutions will be developed in order to compensate energy consumptions and GHG emissions that cannot be decreased. 3 1 2 Methanization Solar energy Energy crop production (miscanthus, switchgrass …)

  39. Introduction - the GE+ program framework Objectives and values A transparent and farm-scale site for demonstration, experimentation and innovation Results and perspective for milk production Positive communication and civic education

  40. Positive communication and Civic education • Communication towards professionals The GE + team reports on agriculture’s improvement possibilities and feasible technical solutions through information campaigns to professionals and students in academic agricultural training. • The GE+ program is supported by a website visited by 3,000 people/month in average. • A technical database was created to gather the bibliographic elements related to energy and climate change in agriculture. • A training on Agriculture, energy and GHG has been proposed to AgroParisTech students for two years. • The 1st edition of the Positive Agriculture Meetings placed under the patronage of the Agriculture Minister was organized at Grignon in 2008 and gathered about a hundred participants. • The GE+ team very often participates in seminars and conferences and organizes farm visits for professionals.

  41. Positive communication and Civic education • Positive communication: why? Positive communication is used in order to adapt to this particular context where consumers are hyper sensitive to the environmental issues, while being more and more distant from the agricultural field.

  42. Positive communication and Civic education • Positive communication: how? The Grignon farm welcomes more than 12,000 visitors per year and communicates also through the diffusion of different types of documents. • Communication on productive, high-performing « real agriculture » • Communication on environmental improvement pathways of agriculture • Communication on benefits that agricultural producers provide to society

  43. Positive communication and Civic education • The offer of educational tools In terms of civic education, pedagogical tools about food, nutrition and climate have been developed and can be used in or outside the farm (in schools, for special events, etc.). The game "It is good on my plate, for me and for my planet!" allows children to create a meal that is both nutritionally balanced and low-carbon emitting. This game has been used by a wide variety of players (agricultural cooperatives, major outlets, territorial administrations, etc.) The “yoghurt-bike”: to count the number of calories required to produce one yoghurt. The miniature Positive farm: to show the relative importance of each farm activity on the global greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumptions . The educational GE+ website

  44. Positive communication and Civic education • Towards Act 2… The 2nd act of GE+ includes the development of new pedagogical tools and a review of the Grignon farm tour. The development of the pedagogical tools implies: more educative workshops proposed to pupils in Grignon, in partner farms and in secondary schools, games and information relayed on the educational website, development of a new game on biodiversity issues… • Review of the Grignon farm tour in order to: • Underline the improvement potential of high-productivity production systems • Educate young students about the modern agriculture challenges (climate, energy, biodiversity, food) Grignon, la ferme qui positive!!!

  45. Thank you for your attention!!

  46. Pour en savoir plus… http://www.agroparistech.fr/energiepositive • Aline Lapierre :aline.lapierre@cereopa.com • Sophie Carton : sophie.carton@agroparistech.fr

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