Henriksson, Maria
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
More than half the annual dry matter intake (DMI) of feed by dairy cows can be roughage. Its production and storage constitute a significant part of the life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from milk production. This study estimated and analysed the impact of grass/clover silage production practices in five climatically different dairy production regions in Sweden on emitted GHG. GHG emissions calculated by the life cycle assessment method were 0.46-0.54 and 0.48-0.63 kg carbon dioxide equivalents per kg silage DMI for normal and higher silage nutrient quality, respectively. Crop cultivation for higher nutrient quality through an extra cut and increased nitrogen fertilisation rates increased GHG emissions by up to 16%. Varying the yield level by +/-20% decreased (11%)/increased (15%) GHG emissions per kg DMI. Improved management practices can reduce GHG emissions feed production, but accurate estimates of yield levels and feed losses are needed to reduce uncertainties.
Keywords
Carbon footprint; dairy production; mitigation option
Published in
Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science
2012, volume: 62, number: 4, pages: 233-237
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS
SLU Authors
Swensson, Christian
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
UKÄ Subject classification
Agricultural Science
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2013.797010
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/53693