Carbon footprint of milk production under smallholder dairying in Anand district of Western India: a cradle-to-farm gate life cycle assessment

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 423 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Garg ◽  
B. T. Phondba ◽  
P. L. Sherasia ◽  
H. P. S. Makkar
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Buffalo Milk ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Western India ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Ch4 And N2o

In recent years, the concept of life cycle assessment (LCA) has proven to be useful because of its potential to assess the integral environmental impacts of agricultural products. Developing countries such as India are good candidates for LCA research because of the large contribution of smallholder dairy system to the production of agricultural products such as milk. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the carbon footprint of milk production under the multi-functional smallholder dairy system in Anand district of Gujarat state, western India. A cradle-to-farm gate LCA was performed by covering 60 smallholder dairy farms within 12 geographically distinct villages of the district. The average farm size was 4.0 animals per farm, and the average number of each category of animal was 2.5 lactating cows, 1.4 lactating buffaloes, 1.8 replacement cows, 1.6 replacement buffaloes, 2.0 retired cows, 1.3 retired buffaloes and 1.0 ox per farm. The emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) on CO2-equivalent (CO2-eq) basis from feed production, enteric fermentation and manure management were allocated to fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) on the basis of mass balance, price and digestibility. Emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O from cattle contributed 11.0%, 75.4% and 13.6%, respectively, to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The contribution of CO2, CH4 and N2O from buffalo was 8.2%, 80.5% and 11.3%, respectively, to the total GHG emissions of farms. The average carbon footprint (CF) of cow milk was 2.3, 1.9 and 2.0 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM on mass, economic and digestibility basis, respectively, whereas for buffalo, milk CF was 3.0, 2.5 and 2.7 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM, respectively. On the basis of digestibility allocation, emissions from retired (>10 years of age and incapable of or ceased producing milk) cows and buffaloes were 1571.3 and 2556.1 kg CO2-eq/retirement year, respectively. Overall, the CF of milk production under the smallholder dairy system in Anand district was 2.2 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM, which reduced to 1.7 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM when milk, manure, finance and insurance were considered as economic functions of the smallholder system. The CF was lower by 65% and 22% for cow and buffalo milk, respectively, than were the estimates of FAO for southern Asia, and this was mainly attributed to difference in the sources of GHG emissions, manure management systems, feed digestibility and milk production data used by FAO.

scholarly journals Carbon Footprint and Related Production Costs of System Components of a Field-Grown Cercis canadensis L. ‘Forest Pansy’ Using Life Cycle Assessment

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dewayne L. Ingram ◽  
Charles R. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Production System ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emission ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
System Component ◽  
Cercis Canadensis

Life cycle assessment (LCA) was utilized to analyze the global warming potential (GWP), or carbon footprint, and associated costs of the production components of a field-grown, spade-dug, 5 cm (2 in) caliper Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ in the Lower Midwest, U.S. A model production system was determined from interviews of nursery managers in the region. Input materials, equipment use and labor were inventoried for each production system component using international standards of LCA. The seed-to-landscape GWP, expressed in kilograms of carbon dioxide emission equivalent (CO2e), was determined to be 13.707. Equipment use constituted the majority (63%) of net CO2-e emissions during production, transport to the customer, and transplanting in the landscape. The model was queried to determine the possible impact of production system modifications on carbon footprint and costs to aid managers in examining their production system. Carbon sequestration of a redbud growing in the landscape over its 40 year life, weighted proportionally for a 100 year assessment period, was calculated to be −165 kg CO2e. The take-down and disposal activities following its useful life would result in the emission of 88.44 kg CO2e. The life-cycle GWP of the described redbud tree, including GHG emissions during production, transport, transplanting, take down and disposal would be −63 kg CO2e. Total variable costs associated with the labor, materials, and equipment use incurred in the model system were $0.069, $2.88, and $34.81 for the seedling, liner, and field production stages, respectively. An additional $18.83 was needed for transport to the landscape and planting in the landscape and after the 40 year productive life of the tree in the landscape, another $60.86 was needed for take-down and disposal activities.

scholarly journals Variation in the carbon footprint of milk production on smallholder dairy farms in central Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 265 ◽  
pp. 121780
Author(s):  
Andreas Wilkes ◽  
Shimels Wassie ◽  
Charles Odhong’ ◽  
Simon Fraval ◽  
Suzanne van Dijk
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Central Kenya ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

How can grass-based dairy farmers reduce the carbon footprint of milk?

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. O'Brien ◽  
A. Geoghegan ◽  
K. McNamara ◽  
L. Shalloo
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Quota System ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Increase Milk Production ◽  
Fertiliser Use ◽  
Milk Solids

The Irish dairy industry aims to increase milk production from grass-based farms following the removal of the EU milk-quota system, but is also required to minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet European reduction targets. Consequently, the sector is under increasing pressure to reduce GHG emissions per unit of milk, or carbon footprint (CF). Therefore, the goal of the present study was to determine the main sources of the CF of grass-based milk production and to identify mitigation strategies that can be applied to reduce farm footprints. In total, the CF of milk was estimated for 62 grass-based dairy farms in 2014. The method used to quantify GHG emissions was a life cycle assessment (LCA), independently certified to comply with the British standard for LCA (PAS 2050). The LCA method was applied to calculate annual on- and off-farm GHG emissions associated with dairy production until milk was sold from the farm in CO2-equivalent (CO2-eq). Annual GHG emissions computed using LCA were allocated to milk on the basis of the economic value of dairy products and expressed per kilogram of fat- and protein-corrected milk to estimate CF. Enteric methane was the main source of the CF of milk (46%), followed by emissions from inorganic N fertilisers (16%), manure (16%) and concentrate feedstuffs (8%). The mean CF of milk from the 62 farms was 1.26 kg of CO2-eq per kilogram of fat- and protein-corrected milk, but varied from 0.98 kg to 1.67 kg as measured using the 95% confidence interval. The CF of milk was correlated with numerous farm attributes, particularly N-fertiliser, the percentage of grazed grass in the diet, and production of milk solids. Grass-based dairy farmers can significantly improve these farm attributes by increasing herd genetic merit, extending the length of the grazing season and optimising N fertiliser use and, thereby, reduce the CF of milk.

Life cycle assessment of horticultural production on UK lowland peat soils.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Freeman ◽  
David Styles ◽  
Christopher Evans ◽  
David Chadwick ◽  
David Jones
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Efficient Production ◽  
Peat Soils ◽  
Responsible Management ◽  
The Uk

<p>Global peatlands store >600 Gt of Carbon (C) but are highly vulnerable to degradation following drainage for agriculture. The extensively drained East Anglian Fens include half of England’s most productive agricultural land, produce ~33% of England’s vegetables and support a food production industry worth approximately £3 billion GBP.  However under arable management, these fen peat soils produce ~37.5 t CO<sub>2</sub> eq ha<sup>-1</sup> of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually. This is likely to be the largest source of land use GHG emissions in the UK per unit area and there is interest in developing responsible management approaches to reduce emissions whilst maintaining economically productive systems. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is amongst the UK’s most valuable crops and a substantial proportion of UK production occurs in the Fens. We undertook a life cycle assessment to compare the carbon footprint of UK Fen lettuce with alternative sources of lettuce for the UK market. We also examined the potential for responsible peat management strategies and more efficient production to reduce the carbon footprint of Fen lettuce. It is hoped this study will help to inform land use decision making and encourage responsible management of UK lowland peat resources.</p>

Greenhouse gas emission intensity based on lifetime milk production of dairy animals, as affected by ration-balancing program

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Garg ◽  
P. L. Sherasia ◽  
B. T. Phondba ◽  
H. P. S. Makkar
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Emission Intensity ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Feed Production ◽  
Co2 Equivalent

Smallholder dairying in India and other developing countries relies on low- and medium-productive animals, and the feeding is mainly based on crop residues and other agro-industrial by-products. The diets are generally nutritionally imbalanced, resulting in productive and reproductive inefficiencies. This also negatively affects the emission intensity (Ei). For the past 3 years, the National Dairy Development Board of India has been implementing large-scale ration-balancing (RB) program in field animals. The effect of feeding balanced rations on Ei was explored. A cradle to farm-gate life-cycle assessment, taking into account the lifespan milk production, was conducted on 163 540 lactating cows and 163 550 buffaloes in northern, southern, eastern and western India. The life-cycle assessment boundary included feed production, enteric fermentation and manure management during various stages of life. On the basis of economic allocation, emissions of methane (CH4) from enteric fermentation, CH4 from manure management, nitrous oxide from manure management and greenhouse gas (GHG), i.e. carbon dioxide (CO2), CH4 and nitrous oxide from feed production, contributed 69.9%, 6.3%, 9.6% and 14.2% in cows, and 71.6%, 7.4%, 12.6% and 8.4% in buffaloes, respectively, to the baseline (before RB) lifetime total GHG emissions. Average Ei based on economic, mass and digestibility allocation for ‘baseline versus after RB’ were 1.6 versus 1.1, 1.8 versus 1.2 and 1.7 versus 1.2 kg CO2-equivalent/kg fat and protein-corrected milk in cows and 2.3 versus 1.5, 2.5 versus 1.6 and 2.4 versus 1.5 kg CO2-equivalent/kg fat and protein-corrected milk in buffaloes, respectively. Feeding-balanced rations significantly improved milk production, but reduced Ei of milk on lifetime basis by 31.2% and 34.7% in cows and buffaloes, respectively. Implementation of RB program has shown considerable potential to reduce GHG emission intensity under smallholding dairy production system of India.

Greenhouse gas emissions intensity of Ontario milk production in 2011 compared with 1991

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susantha Jayasundara ◽  
Claudia Wagner-Riddle
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Emissions Intensity ◽  
Feed Crop

Jayasundara, S. and Wagner-Riddle, C. 2014. Greenhouse gas emissions intensity of Ontario milk production in 2011 compared with 1991. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 155–173. For identifying opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from milk production in Ontario, this study analyzed GHG intensity of milk [kg CO2 equivalents kg−1 fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM)] in 2011 compared with 1991 considering cow and crop productivity improvements and management changes over this period. It also assessed within-province variability in GHG intensity of milk in 2011 using county-level data related to milk production. After allocating whole-farm GHG emissions between milk and meat using an allocation factor calculated according to the International Dairy Federation equation, GHG intensity of Ontario milk was 1.03 kgCO2eq kg−1 FPCM in 2011, 22% lower than that in 1991 (1.32 kg CO2eq kg−1 FPCM). Greenhouse gas sources directly associated with dairy cattle decreased less (21 and 14% for enteric fermentation and manure management, respectively) than sources associated with feed crop production (30 to 34% for emissions related to N inputs and farm-field work). Proportions of GHG contributed from different life cycle activities did not change, with enteric fermentation contributing 46%, feed crop production 34%, manure management 18% and milking and related activities 2%. Within province, GHG intensity varied from 0.89 to 1.36 kg CO2eq kg−1 FPCM, a variation inversely correlated with milk productivity per cow (kg FPCM sold cow−1 year−1). The existence of a wide variation is strong indication for potential further reductions in GHG intensity of Ontario milk through the identification of practices associated with high efficiency.

scholarly journals 180 Screening the carbon footprint of intensive Korean dairy cattle farms: Transition towards low emissions’ production system

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 136-136
Author(s):  
Ridha Ibidhi ◽  
Tae Hoon Kim ◽  
Rajaraman Bharanidharan ◽  
Krishnaraj Thirugnanasambantham ◽  
Kyoung Hoon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Enteric Fermentation

Abstract In the context of global climate change, carbon footprint (CF) becomes an important sustainability indicator for dairy production systems. To mitigation the CF of the dairy sector, insight into greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from individual farms is required. The objective of this study was to determine the primary contributors to GHG emissions at the farm-gate level, expressed as a carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eq), to produce one kg of fat-and protein corrected milk (FPCM). Primary data about farms’ management and feeding practices were collected from twelve dairy farms that belong to Gyeonggi-do province, which represent the most important region for milk production in South Korea. Allocation of GHG emissions between meat and milk was assessed as a physical allocation, 98% allocated to milk and 2% to meat (surplus of calves and culled cows). The CF of the evaluated farms averaged to 0.61 CO2-eq/kg of FPCM and ranged from 0.49 to 0.78 CO2-eq/kg of FPCM. Results indicated that the largest source of GHG comes mostly from enteric fermentation (83%), followed by manure management (6%), manure and fertilizer land application (8%) and energy consumption (3%). By type of gas emitted, methane accounted for 86% of total emissions, originating from enteric fermentation and manure management. Nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide accounted for 11.6 % and 2.8% of total GHG emissions, respectively. Lactating cows contributed by 70% of total GHG emissions, whereas dry cows, heifers and calves contributed by 5, 22 and 3%, respectively. Differences in GHG emissions from the evaluated farms could be explained by differences in feed quality and management practices through manure and fertilizers application on cropland. This study contributes to identify the main sources of GHG production in dairy farms, which can help to define mitigation strategies towards the transition to neutral carbon emissions of the dairy sector.

scholarly journals The Carbon Footprint Of Smallholder Dairy Farming In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 476
Author(s):  
Janvier HAKUZIMANA ◽  
Divin Jean Paul Munyambonera ◽  
Jean de Dieu Habimana
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farming ◽  
Sub Saharan

Agriculture sector is one of major sources of income and livelihood to many populations of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Over the past years animal production has been playing a vital role not only in generating revenues to farmers but also as a source of high qualitative proteins and essential micronutrients (i.e iron, zinc and vitamins) and boosting the agricultural productivity due to its importance in farmyards organic fertilization (i.e manure). Livestock production and Milk market in SSA are dominated by smallholder dairy farming (SDF) which employ nearly 70% of all livestock farmers. Despite its positive impact on people and SSA countries’ economy, SDF has been the major fastest growing agricultural contributors of GHG emissions such as CH4, N2O and CO2 (i.e 9t CO2e per tonne of milk; the highest in the world compared to other regions) thus accelerating global warming effect.Although several articles have investigated the impacts of livestock production on climate change, to the best of our knowledge the existing literature doesn’t contain any studies that provide insight review of smallholder dairy farming’s carbon footprint (CF) in SSA. This review paper is therefore aimed at critical analysis of current knowledge in terms of CF of smallholder dairy farming in SSA and effective mitigation strategies (dietary, manure and animal management) recently proposed to reduce CH4 and N2O emissions from ruminants. SSA was selected because of rapid rise of SDF in the region therefore it is expected to rapidly increase its GHG emissions in future if no sustainable measures are taken.The critical analysis, what is known and gaps in SDF from this review will help to inform the farmers, researchers, decision and policy makers interested in GHG emissions thus to provide the next direction in research and improvement of the sector for sustainability. Capacity building for raising awareness among farmers was identified as paramount to better understand the issue and the options to mitigate emissions on-farm. As longer as adaptation and mitigation strategies become paramount on national and regional agenda, SDF will make significant contribution to economies, improved livelihood and become sustainable livestock production systems in SSA at large.

scholarly journals Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emission from Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle) Manure Management Systems

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 845
Author(s):  
Seunggun Won ◽  
Youngbin Yoon ◽  
Muhammad Mahboob Ali Hamid ◽  
Arif Reza ◽  
Soomin Shim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
N2o Emission ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Monthly Average ◽  
Emission Fluxes ◽  
Native Cattle ◽  
Ch4 And N2o ◽  
Country Specific

The agricultural sector is considered one of the major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. The livestock industry as a significant contributor, is accounting for about 18% of GHG emissions measured in carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent from agricultural practices. Depending on farming practices and climatic conditions, GHGs such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from livestock agriculture can vary significantly. Country-specific emission factors are, therefore, needed for a precise estimation of GHG emissions and to avoid uncertainties. This study was aimed at estimating the CH4 and N2O emission fluxes from Hanwoo (the most famous and popular Korean native cattle) manure management systems. CH4 and N2O emission fluxes from litter in the Hanwoo cattle barn and composting lot were monitored and calculated for 52 weeks using the dynamic chamber method. The calculated monthly average fluxes of CH4 and N2O from litter in the cattle barn ranged from 0.0 to 30.0 ± 13.7 and 0.896 ± 0.557 to 2.925 ± 2.853 μg/m2 s, respectively during the whole measurement period. While during the composting period, the monthly average of CH4 and N2O emission fluxes were varied from 1.449 ± 0.783 to 86.930 ± 19.092 and 0.511 ± 0.410 to 2.629 ± 1.105 μg/m2 s, respectively. The calculated emission fluxes of CH4 and N2O from manure management systems in this study were almost 5.4 and 2.1 times, respectively higher than the values reported for the Asian, South and North American countries in the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Overall, this study initiates the process along with signifies the importance of developing country-specific GHG inventories for the effective reduction of GHG emissions from the livestock sector in Korea.

scholarly journals Short communication: Impact of the intensity of milk production on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions in Portuguese cattle farms

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. e06SC05 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Pereira ◽  
Henrique Trindade
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
Cattle Farm ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cattle Farms

<p>The aim of this study was evaluate the relationship between the intensity of milk production for a wide range of Portuguese commercial cattle farms and NH<sub>3</sub> and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from manure management and enteric fermentation. A survey was carried out at 1471 commercial dairy cattle farms (Holstein-Friesian) and the NH<sub>3</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O and CH<sub>4</sub> emissions at each stage of manure management were estimated as well as CH<sub>4</sub> losses from enteric fermentation. Gaseous emissions were estimated by a mass flow approach and following the recommendations of IPCC guidelines. The manure management and enteric fermentation in a typical Portuguese cattle farm contributes with 7.5±0.15 g N/L milk produced as NH<sub>3</sub> and 1.2±0.22 kg CO<sub>2</sub> equivalent per litre of milk as GHG. Increasing milk production will significantly reduce NH<sub>3</sub> and GHG emissions per litre of milk produced. It can be concluded that a win-win strategy for reducing NH<sub>3</sub> and GHG emissions from dairy cattle farms will be the increase of milk production on these farms. This goal can be achieved by implementing animal breeding programs and improving feed efficiency in order to increase productivity.</p>

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