Transforming 'Shirobara Milk' into 'Milk with a Reason to Choose'

Daisen Dairy Agricultural Cooperative (Headquarters: Kotoura-cho, Tōhaku-gun, Tottori Prefecture; Representative Director/Chairman: Yoichi Tokumaru) is aiming to further enhance the value of the 'Shirobara' brand. Beyond rigorous freshness management and quality pursuit, they are actively building a sustainable dairy model through the expansion of domestic feed self-sufficiency, the visualization of environmental impact reduction, and the acquisition of Japan's first J-Credit certification utilizing biochar derived from sewage sludge.

■ Turning Tottori's Farmland Challenges into 'Power to Protect the Region'
With the increase in abandoned farmland due to the aging of farmers in Tottori Prefecture, Daisen Dairy plays a vital role in preserving regional farmland by having dairy farmers produce their own feed. By promoting efficient feed production based on scientific soil and compost analysis, they restrict the use of chemical fertilizers and advance circular agriculture with low environmental impact. Furthermore, they are pioneering the future of dairy farming that contributes to both the region and the global environment through registration in the J-Credit system and initiatives based on the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' 'Green Food System Strategy.'

■ Displaying Environmental Value with 'Mieru Label'
Following rice and vegetables, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has finalized draft rules for 'raw milk' regarding the 'Mieru Label,' which visualizes efforts to reduce the environmental impact of livestock products and displays them on labels, and began sales verification in 2025. The raw milk used by Daisen Dairy received a 2-star (★★) rating in the 'Mieru Label for Verification' promoted by the Ministry, particularly recognized for reducing CO2 emissions from transport (food mileage reduction) through domestic feed self-sufficiency. This label will be displayed on 1000ml bottles of Shirobara Milk from late May 2026.

■ Japan's First J-Credit Certification with Biochar from Sewage Sludge
Daisen Dairy, Sanko Co., Ltd., and C2X Association jointly applied for and obtained Japan's first J-Credit certification for a case using biochar derived from sewage sludge in dairy farming. By soil-incorporating biochar converted from sewage sludge, CO2 can be sequestered in the soil for the long term. In the 2024 fiscal year, they conducted a trial introduction on 117 hectares of farmland across 4 dairy farms in Tottori Prefecture, achieving a storage effect of over 200 t-CO2 annually.

■ Proactive Sustainable Dairy Farming
Biochar also serves as a substitute for wood shavings, contributing to the promotion of composting and the improvement of fertilizer retention. They are promoting 'proactive sustainable dairy farming,' turning the pinch of a severe shortage of wood shavings into an opportunity for high-quality, eco-friendly compost production utilizing the J-Credit system.