Positive impact on the environment
We guarantee a sustainable future for the territory because we are convinced that, in addition to offering quality, healthy, nutritional food products, our activities should take place in harmony with the environment.
Sustainable livestock farming
With the goal of achieving complete decarbonization and more sustainable production, there are two projects we are working on aimed at the measurement and reduction of our carbon footprint.
Bovaer
We have just started up an innovation project, a pioneering project in Spain, with the goal of reducing environmental impact through the feed we give our cows. It's an initiative that is currently unique in our country and with which we hope to reduce the methane emissions of COVAP's milk-producing cows by 30% thanks to the administration of a supplement called Bovaer® in the cattle's feed. To achieve this environmental improvement, we just need to administer a small amount of this product each day in the feed of the dairy cows. This solution has been shown to reduce emissions without affecting production or the animal's well-being, thus maintaining all its quality. In this way, farmers can contribute directly to environmental improvement, producing more sustainably and responsibly. Bovaer® is the result of more than a decade of research by the company DSM and has been extensively studied and tested through more than 60 reviewed scientific publications. Additionally, following a rigorous assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), this supplement has been recognized as highly effective and safe.
Life Carbon Farming
This is a project that started in 2021 and will end in 2027, with the goal of reducing the carbon footprint by at least 15% through funds generated from profit itself. Carried out in collaboration with 30 producer associations, research centers and European cooperatives, it aims to develop harmonized tools and regulations to assess sustainability and a monitoring, notification, and verification process to help farmers reduce the carbon footprint of their farms and measure the progress made thanks to the carbon agricultural projects (PPC).
Its objectives include: - The training of farmers and advisers, and application of PPCs in 700 farming operations in France, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, Italy, and Spain. - The characterization and setting up of the voluntary carbon market - The structuring, construction, and promotion of a European network and a common framework made up of the farmers and members who participate in the PPC, and who will contribute to the exchanging of knowledge.
The experience acquired during the project will allow an outline to be developed for this framework, replicating a sustainable carbon and agricultural strategy of the EU.
Planet of Plenty
In collaboration with Alltech, in 2020 this project was set in motion and seeks a balance between highly efficient farming production, caring for the environment, and consumer demand. It covers the carbon footprint analysis of the farms and industries as well as the creation of plans to help reduce these. Specifically, during 2022, 100% of dairy farming operations were being analyzed, and the remaining species already measured (pigs, sheep, and cows for meat) were being monitored. With respect to the reduction plans, a strategic line has been established which puts the spotlight on the cattle's feed, a plan that makes a lot of sense for Covap, and which is viable thanks to the 360º model whereby the Cooperative has taken on the production of the animals' feed through its composite pellet and wet food factory. In this sense, aspects such as the origin of the raw materials, enteric fermentation, manure and its management, and the handling of the animals.
ClearFarm
Co-designed welfare monitoring platform for pig and dairy cattle.
Objective: The design, development, and validation of a software platform that integrates PLF-type data to obtain information on animal welfare and sustainability, and which helps producers and consumers make decisions within the value chains of pig and dairy cattle.
Participating entities: The Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Wageningen University & Research, Aarhus Universitet, Università degli Studi di Milano, University of Murcia (UM), Luonnonvarakeskus (Luke), Connecterra B.V., COVAP, El Pozo Alimentación S.A., Hämeenlinnan Osuusmeijeri, Eshuis B.V., dol-sensors A/S, and Herd-itt.
Budget: €5,899,105.63
Financing agent: Project financed by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.