Environmental Impact

We work with farmers, industry groups and our customers to promote sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impact of corn production.

Water

We focus on improving water quality and reducing water usage associated with corn production and processing. We support grower’s use of fertilizer optimization practices to help improve water quality across our supply chain. Use of precision agriculture enables more efficient fertilizer application, which reduces nitrogen runoff into waterways. In the U.S., we promote farmers’ use of the Fieldprint® Platform (see Field to Market details below) to measure water quality and use of water for irrigation on their farmland. We participate in industry efforts to protect at-risk watersheds through the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative (see details below). We also continue to reduce water use in our own operations. For example, our U.S. Starches & Sweeteners business was able to eliminate more than 10,00 delivery truck washes per year by changing washing frequency from 24 hours to 72 hours without compromising safety or product quality. This change saved enough water to fill 117 above-ground swimming pools while also reducing heat and electricity usage.

Soil

We support farmers’ use of no-till and low-till practices and the planting of cover crops to reduce erosion and improve soil health. The Fieldprint® Platform helps growers collect data about land use, soil carbon and soil conservation.

Carbon

We are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our supply chain by encouraging crop cultivation changes and tracking improvements. Growers who reduce tillage of their fields not only help retain carbon in the soil rather than releasing it into the atmosphere, they also reduce emissions from tractors and other farm equipment. The Fieldprint® Platform helps growers track soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions from their farming operations.

Energy

We address energy usage across our corn supply chain. Growers track their energy use through the Fieldprint® Platform. We continually improve the efficiency of Cargill facilities to conserve energy and other resources.

Biodiversity

We are partnering with cooperatives in Europe to map subterranean wildlife in different soil types and with beekeepers to increase the adoption of bee hives within farmer networks to pollinate grassland flowers.