Milk Carbon Footprint in Latin American Livestock: effect of dairy system, breed and climate

Abstract

The study reviewed carbon footprint (CF) analyses for milk production in Latin America from cradle to farm gate. The objective was to estimate: (1) the effect of production system (zero-grazing, mixed, and pasture), (2) animal breed (specialized dairy vs. dual-purpose), and (3) climate (tropical vs. temperate) on milk production (kg/cow/day) and CF [kg CO2eq/kg fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM)]. A systematic literature review was conducted, in which 11 studies which estimate 32 individual CF were included in the final analysis. Studies included in the final analysis allowed to calculate CF per kg FPCM, included upstream emissions calculations, and used a Tier 2 approach for enteric methane emissions. The range of the CF observed in the region was of 1.54 to 3.57 kg CO2eq/kg FPCM. The production system had a significant effect on milk production, but not on CF. Zero-grazing compared with pasture systems had a 140% greater milk production (20.1 vs. 8.4 kg of milk/cow/day), but numerically greater CF (70%) for pasture systems. Compared with specialized dairy cattle, dual-purpose breeds produced less milk and higher CF. Compared with temperate climate, tropical climate systems produced less milk and higher CF. In conclusion, in Latin America the breed selection and the climate have more impact in the CF that the dairy production system.