Comparison of different methods for consideration of multifunctionality of Peruvian dairy cattle in Life Cycle Assessment

Gilardino, Alessandro; Quispe, Isabel; Pacheco, M. T. M.; Bartl, Karin

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104151

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Enteric fermentation was the primary source of CH 4 emissions, averaging 2.8 kg CO 2 eq per kg FPCM in the baseline scenario and 1.5 kg CO2eq per kg FPCM in the improvement scenario. The high contribution of CH 4 emissions to the milk CF is consistent with other studies on pasture-based cattle systems, where extended grazing seasons reduce reliance on farm inputs such as external feed and fertilizers(Gilardino et al 2020; D'aurea et al 2021; Reyes-Palomo et al 2022; Herron et al 2022). The emission of CH 4 from enteric fermentation is driven by the ruminant digestion process, which is in uenced by feed quality.…”

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confidence: 86%

Enhancing dairy cattle sustainability: The Impact of silvopastoral systems and improved pastures on milk carbon footprint and farm economics in Cauca Department, Colombia

Quintero,

García,

Florez

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Cattle farming accounts for approximately 15% of Colombia's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). Silvopastoral systems (SPS) and improved pastures (IP) are recognized as effective strategies for transforming dairy systems by enhancing cattle productivity, reducing climate change impact, and increasing farm profitability. This study aims to (i) calculate the carbon footprint (CF) of four small dairy cattle farms in the Cauca Department and (ii) identify improvements in milk yields, reductions in GHGE intensities after implementing SPS and improved pastures (IP), and changes in profitability indicators. GHGE were calculated using the 2019 Refinement to 2006 IPCC guidelines and impact factors from databases. The functional units were one kg of fat and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) and one kg of live weight gain, using a cradle-to-farm-gate approach. A biophysical allocation method was applied for handling co-products leaving the farm. Baseline milk CFs ranged from 2.4 to 3.2 kgCO2-eq kgFPCM− 1. In the improvement scenario, the area with SPS and IP covered more than 48% of the total farm area on average. SPS and IP increased the availability and quality of forage, leading to higher animal yields and reducing milk CF by up to 40% (ranging from 1.4 to 2.7 kgCO2-eq kgFPCM− 1), and improved farm profitability. These findings provide evidence of the positive impact of adopting IP and SPS on the sustainability of small dairy systems in Colombia by enhancing animal productivity and reducing GHGE intensities.

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