TEDY

General objective:

The project aims to contribute to the advancement of dairy farming systems in Europe towards economically viable and environmentally more sustainable production practices, benefiting participating countries and serving as a reference model for the sustainability of dairy production in other regions or countries around the world.

Specific Objectives:

1. Define the concept of Agroecological Transition (AT) for dairy farming: We will develop a comprehensive framework for AT by defining key terms, principles, and practices that support sustainable and resilient dairy production systems. To this end, a first phase will involve extensive literature reviews, consultations with sectoral stakeholders, and discussions with experts in all partner countries to establish a clear understanding of AT and identify the current situation in different regions, as well as to establish future goals and milestones.
2. Identify challenges and opportunities through a comprehensive assessment of current dairy production practices, their environmental impact, and socioeconomic factors. Engaging stakeholders through participatory approaches will ensure that the identified challenges and opportunities are feasible and relevant, leading to impactful interventions.
3. Development and implementation of agroecological practices: Innovative practices such as those related to genetic improvement programs (e.g., estimation of breeding values ​​for methane production), integrated pest management, rotational grazing, and precision technologies will be developed and tested. The approach may differ slightly across partner countries. We will use commercial livestock trials, Living Labs or Living Agroecosystem Laboratories (ALL), and participatory research to evaluate the effectiveness and scalability of these practices in various agroecological contexts. Some partners will work on established experimental farms.
4. Assess the economic, social, and environmental impact of the agroecological transition. This includes assessing indicators such as input costs, productivity, workload, producer well-being, community resilience, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, and biodiversity using robust monitoring frameworks.
5. Facilitate widespread adoption of sustainable practices through livestock farmer training programs, field demonstrations, and knowledge-sharing networks. Communication materials, online resources, and policy briefs will be developed to disseminate results and promote local, national, and international policy dialogue.

Outcomes:

Within the framework of the longitudinal studies carried out at the Living Labs in the Basque Country, NEIKER will transfer its available knowledge to the sector to implement innovations in dairy farm management.

Overall, the TEDY project is expected to have a significant impact on the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability in the dairy sector:

• By improving resource efficiency, animal health (longer lifespan), and reducing input costs, TEDY will boost the technical and economic viability of dairy production systems. The project will provide practical training and capacity building for farmers, helping them adopt sustainable practices, optimize herd management, and improve overall profitability. Support mechanisms will include financial advice, access to innovative technologies, and market expansion strategies, thus ensuring long-term economic stability and growth in the dairy sector.
• It will strengthen social cohesion in dairy farming communities through targeted initiatives, such as leadership, farm management, and technical skills training, as well as mentoring and financial support to help them start or expand their businesses, particularly for women, encouraging them to play a more active role in associations and increase their influence in the sector. For young people, TEDY will seek to promote the creation of employment opportunities through apprenticeships, internships, and education programs designed in collaboration with institutions and industry partners. These efforts aim to equip young people with practical skills and foster a new generation of qualified professionals ready to drive innovation and sustainability in dairy farming. Furthermore, by improving farms’ overall economic performance, young people will be more motivated to take their farms forward.
• From an environmental perspective, TEDY will promote agroecological practices such as improved feed production at the farm or local level, optimized breeding strategies, organic production, and integrated pest and energy management. These efforts will reduce the environmental footprint of dairy farming, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving water quality, and enhancing biodiversity in landscapes.