Dairy farming that’s better for farmers, cows, and the planet

In its inaugural Dairy Plan report, Nestlé sets out how it is working with 130,000 dairy farmers, over 200 suppliers and a wide range of partners to support the transition of dairy farming and help fulfill its mission of providing nutrition to billions of people. The report explains Nestlé’s comprehensive approach to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, advancing regenerative agriculture, strengthening farmers’ livelihoods, improving animal welfare and increasing productivity across dairy farms in more than 40 countries.

“The Dairy Plan shows that productivity, quality milk and sustainability are closely connected and can positively reinforce each other. Through our collaborative approach across the dairy value chain, we are working to advance this change,” said Katja Seidenschnur, Nestlé’s head of sustainability for the Nutrition & Health business. “Together with farmers, we are deploying innovative solutions and technologies that help them build resilience to climate change and economic pressures, develop skills to run their farms as businesses and improve their livelihoods. These practices are also supporting Nestlé’s long-term access to high-quality milk and milk ingredients – crucial for the production of nutritious products across our portfolio.”

Nestlé is helping dairy farmers reduce GHG emissions through practices that offer some of the greatest opportunities: lower-carbon feed and manure management. By converting manure waste into usable energy, or compost to be sold as fertilizer, for example, farmers are reducing emissions, lowering energy costs, and generating additional income. Through its Institute of Agricultural Sciences and together with partners like academic institutions and government research institutions, Nestlé is using science-based approaches and technologies that address emissions from cow digestion and manure. As a result of these initiatives, the company achieved not only a 25% reduction of methane, but even a 26% reduction of all GHG emissions across its dairy value chain in 2025 (versus its 2018 baseline).

As part of the Dairy Plan, Nestlé is also supporting dairy farmers in adopting other regenerative agriculture practices, such as soil cover, minimum tillage, and tree integration. These methods help improve soil health, water management and habitat protection, fostering healthy ecosystems. Combined with improved animal welfare practices, such as optimized nutrition, veterinary care and cooling systems, cows can be healthier, which supports enhanced milk quality and productivity – beneficial to both farmers and consumers. In 2025, Nestlé sourced over 34% of its dairy from farmers implementing regenerative agriculture.

With farmers in focus, the Dairy Plan also helps them diversify their income sources and develop business, financial and farm management skills. Farmers receive training in technical farming practices and are empowered by digital tools that enable more informed decision-making and provide further learning opportunities. This professionalization of dairy farming is helping make the sector more attractive to the next generation of farmers, as young people see the opportunity to earn a stable income and build a future for their families.