Photo: RNZ / Alexa Cook
Researchers have found it's possible to produce milk and cheese in a highly environmentally friendly way without losing money.
An AgResearch and Our Land and Water study modelled various scenarios on an average Waikato dairy farm including replacing or eliminating feed and fertiliser.
The best case scenario delivered carbon neutral dairy products which reduced nitrogen leaching by 42 percent and greenhouse emissions by 20 percent.
AgResearch scientist Dr Gina Lucci says farmer profits could increase by up to 15 percent because of consumers' willingness to pay more for environmentally friendly dairy products.
