Title
Milk carbon footprint of silvopastoral dairy systems in the Northern Peruvian Amazon
Date Issued
01 August 2022
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Publisher(s)
Springer Science and Business Media B.V.
Abstract
The objective of this study was to estimate the carbon footprint (CF) of milk production (in kg of CO2 equivalents (CO2e) per kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM)) in dairy farms of the San Martín region, in the Peruvian Amazon. A cradle-to-farm gate characterization and analysis were carried out on eight representative dairy farms. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were estimated using equations, following the 2019 refinement of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. The results showed an average milk production of 9.7 ± 0.82 L milk/cow/day, Gyr x Holstein crosses as the predominant breed, use of cultivated grasses such as Brachiaria brizantha, living fences (Guazuma ulmifolia Lam) as the predominant silvopastoral arrangement, and low level of external inputs such as feed or grain additives. In relation to CF, an average value of 2.26 ± 0.49 kg CO2e/kg FPCM was obtained, with enteric fermentation being the most important source (1.81 ± 0.51 kg CO2e/kg FPCM), followed by manure management, land use, and energy/transport (0.26 ± 0.06, 0.14 ± 0.04, and 0.05 ± 0.04 kg CO2e/kg FPCM, respectively). Differences were found between farmers, obtaining lower CF values (1.76 vs 3.09 kg CO2e/kg FPCM) on farms with better feed quality, higher production levels, and a higher percentage of lactating animals compared to dry cows. It is concluded that dairy farms in the Peruvian Amazon region can reduce their emissions if they improve their current feeding practices.
Volume
54
Issue
4
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Agricultura
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85133687839
PubMed ID
Source
Tropical Animal Health and Production
ISSN of the container
00494747
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus