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

  • José Pereira (1) Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Agrarian School of Viseu, CI&DETS, Quinta da Alagoa, 3500-606 Viseu (2) University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB). Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8078-8915
  • Henrique Trindade University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB). Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8208-6204
Keywords: dairy cattle, enteric fermentation, gaseous emissions, manure management

Abstract

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 NH3 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 NH3, N2O and CH4 emissions at each stage of manure management were estimated as well as CH4 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 NH3 and 1.2±0.22 kg CO2 equivalent per litre of milk as GHG. Increasing milk production will significantly reduce NH3 and GHG emissions per litre of milk produced. It can be concluded that a win-win strategy for reducing NH3 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.

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Published
2015-12-02
How to Cite
Pereira, J., & Trindade, H. (2015). Short communication: Impact of the intensity of milk production on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions in Portuguese cattle farms. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 13(4), e06SC05. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2015134-8176
Section
Animal production