More Sustainable Dairy and Beef Farming with AjiPro™-L

Now more than ever, we face the need to feed a growing world population while preserving our planet. Intelligent application of amino acids technology may be an important part of the solution.

The Ajinomoto Group, under its Ajinomoto Group Creating Shared Value (ASV), is driving innovation to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while increasing economic value for dairy and beef farmers worldwide. At the heart of this initiative is AjiPro™-L, the world’s best rumen-protected lysine for cattle designed to improve productivity and profitability while reducing environmental impact. The business model utilizes AjiPro™-L, blending corporate expertise with a commitment to sustainability, is an example of solving environmental challenges while creating new economic opportunities. The Ajinomoto Group is now developing the model across industrial sectors and borders, partnering with various stakeholders globally to achieve greater efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Global demand for protein, coupled with a growing population, has increased the focus on sustainable milk and beef production but contributes significantly to GHG emissions, particularly methane (CH₄) from cattle burps and nitrous oxide (N₂O) from manure. Methane has approximately 28 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide (CO₂), while nitrous oxide has 300 times. Together, these emissions related to cattle breeding account for approximately 9.5%* of global GHG emissions, making mitigation efforts critically important. Additionally, conventional feed solutions, such as soybean meal, are commonly used as a natural protein source for cattle. Soybean meal is high in protein but also costly and contains excess amino acids that contribute to GHG emissions.

^{*Source: Food and Agriculture Organization “Livestock solutions for climate change” https://www.fao.org/3/I8098EN/i8098en.pdf}

Recognizing these challenges, the Ajinomoto Group has leveraged its amino acid research to develop AjiPro™-L, offering a solution that improves feed efficiency, reduces GHG emissions, and aligns with global sustainability goals.

AjiPro™-L improves the amino acid balance in cattle feed by supplementing lysine, one of the most deficient amino acids in cattle. Its innovative formulation technology ensures the amino acid reaches the small intestine for absorption, bypassing degradation in the rumen.

The benefits include:

●Cost Savings: Reduced feed costs by reducing natural protein sources like soybean meal that contain excess amino acids while maintaining productivity.

●Environmental Gains: Lower feed input reduces CO₂ from cultivation and transport, while balanced diets reduce nitrogen waste, cutting N₂O emissions.

●Animal Welfare: Enhanced nutrition improves cattle health by supplementing lysine.

The AjiPro™-L business model was at first applied to dairy cattle. Building on initial success, the Group has now expanded the solution to beef cattle. With dairy cattle, the results are maintained milk yields and reduced GHG emissions. With beef cattle, the solution optimizes weight gain, shortens fattening periods, and reduces methane and nitrous oxide emissions per unit of meat produced.

Further, a more balanced amino acid profile also improves cattle health, addressing animal welfare concerns while reducing both environmental and financial costs. This expansion of the model to encompass the production of beef cattle holds the promise of a significant expansion of its impact.

A carbon credit is a certification system established based on the concept of carbon offsets to account for GHG reductions. Publicly credible organizations, such as international institutions, national bodies, and municipalities, verify that GHG emissions has indeed been reduced by a certain amount. The certified reductions are then monetized as credits.

Japan’s J-Credit Scheme is established by the Japanese government. The GHG reductions achieved by using    AjiPro™-L are converted into carbon credits through certification under the J-Credit Scheme. The certified credits are sold to companies seeking to offset their emissions, providing a direct economic benefit to participating farmers and a pathway to sustainability for the dairy and beef industry.

In collaboration with the Meiji Group, a leading Japan dairy manufacturer, the Ajinomoto Group has incorporated          J-Credit Scheme into its initiatives that utilize AjiPro™-L. The Ajinomoto Group has also signed a partnership agreement with Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan to introduce solutions not only to dairy farms but also to beef cattle ranching operations, and are building a new business model utilizing the J-Credit Scheme. (Check out this article for further information: Empowering Sustainable Dairy Farming)

Key outcomes of this model include:

●Farmers: Reduced feed costs, incentives received based on GHG reductions as a new source of revenue. Realization of high value-added products using credits.

●Dairy and Meat Producers: Sustainable raw material sourcing aligned with stakeholder expectations for environmentally responsible products. More sustainable dairy and beef farming is achieved as well as progress toward future carbon neutrality while promoting GHG emission reductions in the industry.

●The Ajinomoto Group: Increased adoption of AjiPro™-L and creation of new revenue streams via GHG reduction operations.

Building on its success in Japan, the Ajinomoto Group is expanding this model internationally. A recent partnership with Danone aims to reduce GHG emissions in Danone’s global dairy supply chain. Efforts are underway to introduce the solution to Danone’s contracted farmers in Spain, Brazil, and the United States, as well as to Danone’s own farmers in Egypt and Morocco.

The Ajinomoto Group’s AjiPro™-L initiative realizes ASV—achieving economic growth while addressing critical societal challenges. This project has been recognized with the FY2023 ASV Award Gold Prize, underscoring its success in uniting stakeholders across sectors to co-create value.

We spoke with Shohei Takeuchi, of the Strategy Execution Group of Customized Feed Solution (CFS) Department at Ajinomoto Co., Inc. to learn more about how the project fits with the Ajinomoto Group’s approach to ASV. He remarked: “First, we aim to create social value using unique proprietary technologies. Next, we design business models that convert this social value into economic value. Finally, we implement these initiatives by collaborating with other like-minded companies.

He added: “This approach facilitated the involvement of stakeholders both inside and outside the company. Feedback from these stakeholders created a cycle of continuous improvement, accelerating the pace of transformation. To me, ASV represents our commitment to leverage “AminoScience” to transform society and address pressing challenges like climate change.”

Finally, he added “This award recognizes our efforts in creating a new business model that not only improves farmers’ incomes while reducing GHG emissions from dairy and beef cattle but also generates economic value by monetizing the reduced GHG. It also acknowledges the successful implementation of this model achieved by engaging industry partners and local governments. This positive third-party evaluation boosts the confidence of our team members and serves as great motivation for future endeavours.”

This project is truly ASV at work. Employees are encouraged to reflect on the intersection between their own “My Purpose” and the Group’s Purpose. Each employee is envisioned as the protagonist, continuously striving to achieve the desired future state. The organization advances its initiatives through the ASV Management Cycle process, ensuring comprehensive execution and implementation.

By integrating advanced amino acid technology, innovative business models, and global partnerships, the Ajinomoto Group is shaping a more sustainable future for food systems. With AjiPro™-L, the Group is helping prove that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, and working to optimize the well-being of people, animals, and our planet.