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With rising costs, climate change and supply chain disruptions, farmers are facing more challenges than ever. Sergio Schuler, head of animal nutrition and health EMEA for DSM-Firmenich, explains how technology can be used to address the environmental impact of livestock farming and how to implement strategies that will help integrate sustainability without sacrificing market competitiveness.

As the global population continues to rise and the impact of climate change is being more keenly felt across the planet, we as a sector face increased challenges to meeting daily calorie needs within planetary boundaries while balancing the impact of food production on climate change.

The demand for animal proteins is projected to grow by 70% by 2050 and with food production contributing approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is clear there is an urgent need for sustainable farming and production solutions.

The EU’s vision for the future of agriculture

As recently as 2020, it was recorded that there were over 9 million agricultural holdings in the EU alone. Highlighting the scale of the challenge, and indeed opportunity, we must address more sustainable methodologies to produce our food.

In response, the European Commission released its ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food,’ which outlines the future of Europe’s farming and food system. Against a backdrop of rising input costs, climate pressures and disrupted supply chains, the Vision offers a long-term strategy designed to support farmers while transitioning toward a more sustainable and competitive food system.

The Vision is wide-ranging, from setting out to make farming a more attractive career for future generations, reduce administrative burdens and support rural communities, to promoting sustainable practices that protect natural resources, ensure food security, fair market conditions and stronger alignment of EU and import standards. All to lay the groundwork for a greener, more future-ready agricultural system. The spotlight is firmly on the future of livestock farming and the balancing act between tradition and transformation.

For livestock farmers, the Vision encourages regionally tailored solutions that reflect local farming realities while offering a broader framework for improving productivity and environmental performance. Central to this is the role technology will play in meeting the sector’s environmental goals.

From precision feeding systems that reduce waste to management tools that curb emissions, digital and data-driven innovations will be vital to measure and shrink the environmental footprint of livestock farming. The Commission's planned digital strategy for agriculture is expected to fast-track access to these solutions, helping farmers adopt new tools without losing sight of tradition.

Overcoming the challenges facing farmers

There’s no getting away from the fact that livestock farmers are navigating an increasingly complex landscape. Volatile input prices, extreme weather events and global supply chain shocks have become part of daily operations.

Crucially, the Vision acknowledges these pressures and offers a roadmap to build resilience from the ground up. For me, the key to making a lasting impact is the need for sustainability without sacrificing market competitiveness.

A proposed ‘excellence livestock production chain’ aims to set high standards across welfare, quality and environmental outcomes, helping producers lead the way globally. Getting on board with these proposals early could mean producers who integrate sustainable practices not only reduce their environmental impact, but also gain efficiency and respond to growing consumer demand for transparency and responsible production. In a time when there is so much uncertainty around inputs, tariffs and climate, any opportunity to simplify processes and remove red tape can be seen as a positive.

As part of the Vision, the EU Commission has committed to cutting unnecessary bureaucracy. Offering easier access to funding, knowledge-sharing platforms and innovation support, all of which should allow farmers to spend more time farming and less time form-filling.

Transforming farming with technology

With the EU’s Vision for Agriculture and Food 2025-2029 pushing for a more sustainable and competitive future, embracing technology will be essential in enabling livestock farmers to meet climate goals without compromising, and in some cases, even improving productivity.

Technology offers a path for rapidly reshaping the environmental outlook of livestock farming, offering tools that enable farmers to reduce emissions improve efficiency and protect natural resources.

Precision farming tools allow for real-time monitoring of animal health and feed efficiency, waste and emission reduction, while boosting productivity. These digital platforms are equipping farmers with systems that are helping to simplify sustainable farm management, allowing for accurate and credible measurement of a farm’s environmental impact. All crucial for optimising resources and unlocking access to eco-labelling and carbon credit schemes.

Sustainable business strategies

If we’re serious about securing the future of livestock farming, sustainability cannot sit on the sidelines; it needs to be built into day-to-day operations. Sustainability measures can point out inefficiencies and, therefore, also make business sense.

Starting with strategic steps in sustainability can deliver real returns. Assessing on-farm emissions is one of the smartest first moves and offers opportunities for producers. Beyond being a box-ticking exercise, this helps give a clearer picture of where inefficiencies lie.

Emissions data, when used well, can highlight overfeeding, poor nutrient use or high-energy inputs, all of which chip away at margins. Tools like carbon calculators or lifecycle assessment platforms provide credible, actionable insights at the push of a button by plugging into feed least cost formulation (LCF) software.

Another area ripe for improvement is feed formulation. Shifting towards more sustainable feed inputs or adopting precision feeding systems does not just reduce methane or waste, it often lowers input costs and improves animal health, which in turn lifts productivity. It’s about working smarter, not harder. And let’s not overlook funding. Between EU schemes, innovation grants and private sustainability-linked finance, there’s support available.

Farmers who act early, armed with the right data and a clear plan, are well-placed to secure investment and differentiate themselves in an increasingly value-driven market. The message is clear: the future of livestock farming hinges on innovation, resilience and a shared commitment to sustainability.

When done right, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing for the planet, it’s a commercial advantage. And, with the right support and strategy, farmers can continue to feed an ever-growing population while protecting the planet for generations to come.