Abstract
Background:
Food loss and waste (FLW) is a significant global issue, with up to 40% of food being wasted, and 15% of this waste occurring on farms. However, there is a lack of data on FLW on farm or during processing stages. New Zealand, as a food-producing nation with substantial dairy and beef industries, produces 21 billion litres of milk and 700 thousand tons of beef meat annually, with the vast majority (95% of dairy and 88% of beef) being exported. Despite the economic and environmental significance of the dairy and beef sectors, there is limited understanding of the extent and causes of FLW at the production and processing stages. Further, these industries face growing pressure from political entities, local communities, and international consumers to enhance transparency and address issues related to food production and FLW, such as animal welfare, antibiotic use, water quality, and landfill use.
Approach:
This study used a mixed methods approach by combining interviews and quantitative data analysis to describe and understand the quantities, drivers, and destinations of FLW in New Zealand's meat and dairy supply chains. The study aimed to uncover the rationale and factors that lead to FLW within these supply chains and to identify opportunities for FLW prevention and reduction. Participants were recruited from New Zealand's beef and dairy supply chains as case studies to explore circular economy opportunities by addressing knowledge gaps in FLW at the early stages of the food supply chain. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, farmer estimates, and processor participants supplying quantitative data. Summary statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data, and reflexive thematic analysis was used to generate the themes associated with destinations and drivers of FLW. The specific objectives were:
- To quantify the volumes of FLW and current disposal methods occurring on farms and at processors within these supply chains.
- To identify the direct and indirect drivers influencing stakeholders that lead to FLW.
- To identify current and future strategies to transition to a circular economy, thereby reducing or eliminating waste and minimising associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Key Findings:
This is the first study to quantify and identify drivers and destinations of FLW in New Zealand dairy and beef production and processing. It adds substantial knowledge to FLW research at the early stages of food supply chains. The key findings for each research objective are as follows.
Research objective 1 (quantities and destinations)
Proportionally low, but substantial levels of FLW were generated during dairy production and processing. The average annual milk FLW across farmer participants was calculated to be 1.78% (7.2 tonnes of milk solids (T MS)) of their annual milk yields. Farm waste milk had few destinations and was either fed to calves or disposed of in the on-farm manure management system. Dairy processor annual FLW and byproducts equated to 5.46% (1181 T MS) of the milk processed. The destinations identified included animal feed stockists (for waste powders), pig farmers, land application, and commercial composters.
Similarly, proportionally low but substantial quantities of beef FLW were generated on dairy farms and at the meat processor. Annually, farmers estimated that 2% (n=18, 8 tonnes of liveweight of cattle (T LWT)) of their cattle were lost, and 2% (n=15, 0.6T LWT) of their calves were lost on farm as casualties. Casualty animals were disposed of either through petfood abattoir services, ‘composting’, and/or offal pits. Meat processor annual beef FLW and byproducts equated to 50% (27,945 T) of the estimated liveweight of slaughtered animals. Destinations for byproducts and wastes included: pharmaceutical and other uses (Cattle 5% of cattle LWT; 3009 T), edible offal (Cattle 5% of cattle LWT, 2525 T; calf 30% of calf LWT,1859 T), inedible offal (Cattle 5% of cattle LWT, 2999 T), rendering (Cattle 34%, of cattle LWT 18728 T), and landfill (Cattle 1% of cattle LWT, 693 T). The remaining LWT of cattle (50%) and calves (70%) went to meat product destinations.
Research objective 2 (drivers)
Dairy farmers' perspectives on their wastes were viewed through their focus on enhancing milk production and minimising their farm costs. Farmers were not overly concerned about their milk waste as they were content with the destinations they used. The dairy processor believed they were being very efficient and not wasteful in their plant, but some FLW was inevitable given systems aren’t perfect, and it was more important to avoid risk when food safety or specifications were uncertain. The dairy processor also valued maintaining positive relationships and approachable communication with dairy farmers and pig farmers to both prevent FLW and ensure destinations for their wastes.
Dairy farmers had good meat waste prevention strategies in place but few options to deal with casualty animals. Their focus on milk production directed their perspectives and decisions on the management of surplus animals such as cull cows and surplus (bobby) calves. The participating meat processor could influence beef farmers to improve their beef quality (reducing wastes) but had far less influence in incentivising dairy farmers to do the same. Meat processor participants saw FLW occurrence as a risk to their brand reputation, which could prevent them from continuously processing animals. Byproducts were also viewed as an opportunity for economic benefits, therefore, the meat processor was highly motivated to pursue alternative markets for their byproducts and wastes.
Research objective 3 (circular strategies)
All participants used circular strategies as part of their FLW and byproduct management. Largely, this was through destinations that used FLW as a resource for animal feed (fed to animals used for food production) and pet food. Cooperative business models in the New Zealand dairy and beef industries seemed to enable more equitable sharing of power, responsibility, and risks between farmers and processors compared to other food types. Therefore, the responsibility for FLW prevention and disposal motivated processors to prefer circular (reuse, recycle) destinations. Maintaining a network of stakeholders (like pig farmers, livestock feed companies, rendering processors, commercial composters, etc.) meant that more circular destinations outside of landfills were available for processors.
Future strategies proposed by the current research include integrating farm technologies and processor waste data using blockchain to identify circular economy opportunities. Expanding options for casualty animal and red milk disposal, such as micro-abattoirs and mobile biorefineries, would reduce hazardous on-farm practices. Greater collaboration between the beef and dairy industries is needed, with a strong emphasis on societal values, particularly animal welfare, in efforts to prevent waste and overproduction.
Academic contribution
This thesis makes a significant contribution to the emerging field of FLW research by providing comprehensive data on the quantities, destinations, and drivers of FLW within New Zealand's dairy and beef industries. It provides a holistic analysis of food production, tracking FLW of milk and beef from dairy farms through to dairy processors and meat processors. The inclusion of cross-industry perspectives on food production, processing, and FLW generation and prevention establishes a valuable baseline for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and social scientists. This research enhances the understanding of the complex interactions between economic factors, stakeholder perceptions, risks, and the practical necessities of food production and FLW management in New Zealand.