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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413967
Research Project: Comprehensive Environmental Framework to Facilitate Resilient and Sustainable Intensification of Crop-Livestock Systems

Location: Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research

Title: Assessing greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms

Author
item Rotz, Clarence - Al
item Dell, Curtis

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/25/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: To help counter rising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, dairy industries in many countries are working to mitigate emissions toward the ultimate goal of net zero emissions or no long-term effect on global warming. Farm models provide valuable tools for prioritizing mitigation approaches and assessing mitigation strategies. Dairy farm management varies widely from extensive grazing to intensive confinement systems. Modeling studies demonstrate that the most appropriate strategies for reducing emissions are dependent upon farm-specific management practices, climate, and available resources. As new strategies and technologies are developed and implemented on farms, models provide important tools for quantifying emissions and assessing our progress toward net-zero production.

Technical Abstract: Interest has developed in knowing the net greenhouse gas (GHG) emission or carbon footprint of food production systems and to mitigate those emissions toward the goal of no effect on global warming. Quantifying and evaluating production system emissions requires a modeling approach. Models at various levels of detail are used to predict GHG emissions from sources on dairy farms. Integration of these models considers the interactive effects among farm components to determine whole farm emissions. Life cycle assessment is often included to incorporate all sources from the production of resources used on the farm to emissions from farmland, animals, manure handling, and combustion or decomposition of fossil carbon. An important use of dairy farm models is quantifying and comparing life cycle carbon footprints to determine best management practices. Mitigation strategies are evaluated alone and in combination to refine production systems toward the goal of net zero milk production.