Advantage through transparency: The new tool “FarmConsult”
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the new consulting tool "FarmConsult" by experts from HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein and Raumberg-Gumpenstein Research & Development. This digital application provides farms and consultants with easily interpretable key performance indicators (KPIs) for production data and farm-specific carbon footprints in CO2 equivalents. Benchmarking within the tool makes a farm's own performance and potential in the area of environmental and climate protection clearly visible for the first time and comparable over several years. This enables targeted optimization of farms, resulting in economic benefits and a reduction in environmental impact.
Why climate protection? Market economy and EU regulations
In addition to the technical results, the strategic importance of the project was discussed extensively. Two main drivers were identified:
- Market economy: Climate protection is increasingly becoming a decisive selling point along the entire supply chain. More and more projects offer the possibility of sales premiums if well-documented environmental performance is available.
- Legal framework: The new EU directive on sustainability reporting (CSRD) places obligations on all sectors and makes verifiable environmental indicators indispensable.
Knowledge transfer as a success factor
A key strategy of the project was the ongoing transfer of knowledge in both directions. Science and advisory services benefit from the practical knowledge of farms regarding the implementation of mitigation measures, while farmers receive current research findings and can integrate them directly into their daily practices. "The farm managers demonstrated a great deal of openness and showed what steps are possible through proactive climate protection," was the general consensus among the experts at the conference.
Positive balance in greenhouse gas emissions
Initial evaluations show success: A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has been observed in the project area, particularly in fossil fuel emissions and in the area of purchased operating resources. The final evaluations for the 2025 carbon footprint and the modeling for the project period from 2018 to 2025 are currently being prepared.
The success of the project is thanks to a strong partnership. Special thanks go to the motivated individuals at Bio Austria, Prolactal GmbH, NÖM AG, Raumberg-Gumpenstein – and, most importantly, to the participating farmers! Those involved praised the cooperative approach and the constructive exchange between agriculture, advisory services, industry, and science within the project.
