Greenhouse gas emissions from selected Austrian dairy production systems—model calculations considering the effects of land use change

Hörtenhuber, Stefan; Lindenthal, Thomas; Amon, Barbara; Markut, Theresia; Kirner, Leopold; Zollitsch, Werner

doi:10.1017/s1742170510000025

Cited by 70 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Most studies calculating GHG emissions from dairy farming stop at the dairy farm gate (Lovett et al, 2006;Hö rtenhuber et al, 2010), using different methods for allocating GHG DU 5 dairy cow production unit differing in milk yield per cow per year (6000 kg (DU-6), 8000 kg (DU-8) and 10 000 kg (DU-10)).…”

Section: Allocation Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The N 2 O emissions from production of forages and crops (used to feed animals) are an important source of GHG emissions in animal production systems. Lovett et al (2006) and Hö rtenhuber et al (2010) reported that N 2 O emissions from production of forages and crops represent up to 12% of total GHG emissions from Irish and Austrian dairy farms, respectively. The N 2 O emissions in this study were calculated on the basis of N input into the soil in the form of mineral fertilizer, manure and crop residues.…”

Section: Calculation Of Ghg Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As methane (CH 4 ) from enteric fermentation contributes to approximately 50% of total GHG emissions in dairy farms (Hö rtenhuber et al, 2010), reducing the number of cattle seems to be the main strategy to reduce GHG emissions. CH 4 emissions related to milk yield (g CH 4 /kg milk) decline as milk yield per cow increases (Flachowsky and Brade, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does increasing milk yield per cow reduce greenhouse gas emissions? A system approach

Zehetmeier

Baudracco

Hoffmann

et al. 2012

Animal

113

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Milk yield per cow has continuously increased in many countries over the last few decades. In addition to potential economic advantages, this is often considered an important strategy to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per kg of milk produced. However, it should be considered that milk and beef production systems are closely interlinked, as fattening of surplus calves from dairy farming and culled dairy cows play an important role in beef production in many countries. The main objective of this study was to quantify the effect of increasing milk yield per cow on GHG emissions and on other side effects. Two scenarios were modelled: constant milk production at the farm level and decreasing beef production (as co-product; Scenario 1); and both milk and beef production kept constant by compensating the decline in beef production with beef from suckler cow production (Scenario 2). Model calculations considered two types of production unit (PU): dairy cow PU and suckler cow PU. A dairy cow PU comprises not only milk output from the dairy cow, but also beef output from culled cows and the fattening system for surplus calves. The modelled dairy cow PU differed in milk yield per cow per year (6000, 8000 and 10 000 kg) and breed. Scenario 1 resulted in lower GHG emissions with increasing milk yield per cow. However, when milk and beef outputs were kept constant (Scenario 2), GHG emissions remained approximately constant with increasing milk yield from 6000 to 8000 kg/cow per year, whereas further increases in milk yield (10 000 kg milk/cow per year) resulted in slightly higher (8%) total GHG emissions. Within Scenario 2, two different allocation methods to handle co-products (surplus calves and beef from culled cows) from dairy cow production were evaluated. Results showed that using the 'economic allocation method', GHG emissions per kg milk decreased with increasing milk yield per cow per year, from 1.06 kg CO 2 equivalents (CO 2eq ) to 0.89 kg CO 2eq for the 6000 and 10 000 kg yielding dairy cow, respectively. However, emissions per kg of beef increased from 10.75 kg CO 2eq to 16.24 kg CO 2eq due to the inclusion of suckler cows. This study shows that the environmental impact (GHG emissions) of increasing milk yield per cow in dairy farming differs, depending upon the considered system boundaries, handling and value of co-products and the assumed ratio of milk to beef demand to be satisfied.

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Section: Allocation Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Calculation Of Ghg Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does increasing milk yield per cow reduce greenhouse gas emissions? A system approach

Zehetmeier

Baudracco

Hoffmann

et al. 2012

Animal

113

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show abstract

“…In a recent Austrian study, Hörtenhuber et al [63] conducted a ‗life-cycle chain' analyses of eight different dairy production systems representing organic and conventional farms located in alpine, upland and lowland regions. Notably, and rather innovatively, the authors included an estimate for GHG impacts of the estimated land use change (LUC) required to produce concentrates (which ranged from 13% to 24% of total feed intake for various farms), such as soybean production replacing tropical forests.…”

Section: Dairymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Carbon and Global Warming Potential Impacts of Organic Farming: Does It Have a Significant Role in an Energy Constrained World?

2011

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About 130 studies were analyzed to compare farm-level energy use and global warming potential (GWP) of organic and conventional production sectors. Cross cutting issues such as tillage, compost, soil carbon sequestration and energy offsets were also reviewed. Finally, we contrasted E and GWP data from the wider food system. We concluded that the evidence strongly favours organic farming with respect to whole-farm energy use and energy efficiency both on a per hectare and per farm product basis, with the possible exception of poultry and fruit sectors. For GWP, evidence is insufficient except in a few sectors, with results per ha more consistently favouring organic farming than GWP per unit product. Tillage was consistently a negligible contributor to farm E use and additional tillage on organic farms does not appear to significantly deplete soil C. Energy offsets, biogas, energy crops and residues have a more limited role on organic farms compared to conventional ones, because of the nutrient and soil building uses of soil organic matter, and the high demand for organic foods in human markets. If farm E use represents 35% of total food chain E use, improvements shown of 20% or more in E efficiency through organic farm management would reduce food-chain E use by 7% or more. Among other food supply chain stages, wholesale/retail (including cooling and OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2011, 3 323 packaging) and processing often each contribute 30% or more to total food system E. Thus, additional improvements can be obtained with reduced processing, whole foods and food waste minimization.

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“…Other considerations are that a longer rearing phase increases the costs (e.g. feed, housing) and the carbon footprint (Hö rtenhuber et al, 2010). In order to optimise dairy farm profitability, it is therefore advisable to aim for early calving (Hultgren et al, 2011) while ensuring that the animals are sufficiently developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between age at first calving, year and season of first calving and milk production in Holstein cows

Froidmont

Mayeres

Picron

et al. 2013

Animal

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The effects of first calving (FC) in Holstein heifers on their first lactation, second lactation and lifetime milk production were examined from an initial database of 459 743 animals that first calved between 1 January 1990 and 31 July 2010 in Wallonia, Belgium. The FC age class (18 to 22, 22 to 26, 26 to 30, 30 to 34, 34 to 38 and 38 to 42 months), the FC season and FC year class (1990 to 1994, 1995 to 1999, 2000 to 2004 and 2005 to 2010) were considered when analysing the first and second lactation data. Lifetime data were similarly analysed, but did not include animals that calved after 2005 because many of them were still lactating. Only 24% of animals had their FC before 26 months of age. Animals that first calved between 22 and 26 months of age had more lactations and productive days during their life. They also had higher first and second lactation milk production and lifetime milk production. Summer or autumn FC improved first lactation, second lactation and lifetime milk production, as well as production per day of lactation, compared with winter or spring FC. Compared with animals that calved for the first time in 1990 to 1994, animals with a FC in 2000 to 2004 had a longer calving interval (0.5 months), fewer lactations per animal (−0.6) and fewer days in their lifetime lactation (a reduction of 144 days). As a result, the animals’ lifetime production did not increase between 1990 to 1994 and 2000 to 2004, although milk production per day of lactation (22.85v.20.49 l/day) and per day of life (11.49v.10.78 l/day) improved. Milk fat content was lower in 2000 to 2004 than in 1990 to 1994, but protein content remained relatively constant, probably because of the cows’ higher production level and increased dietary concentrate supplementation.

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Greenhouse gas emissions from selected Austrian dairy production systems—model calculations considering the effects of land use change

Cited by 70 publications

References 27 publications

Does increasing milk yield per cow reduce greenhouse gas emissions? A system approach

Does increasing milk yield per cow reduce greenhouse gas emissions? A system approach

The Carbon and Global Warming Potential Impacts of Organic Farming: Does It Have a Significant Role in an Energy Constrained World?

Association between age at first calving, year and season of first calving and milk production in Holstein cows

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