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The Carbon Footprint of Energy Consumption in Pastoral and Barn Dairy Farming Systems: A Case Study from Canterbury, New Zealand

Author

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  • Hafiz Muhammad Abrar Ilyas

    (Department of Land Management and Systems, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand)

  • Majeed Safa

    (Department of Land Management and Systems, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand)

  • Alison Bailey

    (Department of Land Management and Systems, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand)

  • Sara Rauf

    (Department of Land Management and Systems, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand)

  • Marvin Pangborn

    (Alderbrook Farm Ltd., Rakaia 7783, New Zealand)

Abstract

Dairy farming is constantly evolving to more intensive systems of management, which involve more consumption of energy inputs. The consumption of these energy inputs in dairy farming contributes to climate change both with on-farm emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels, and by off-farm emissions due to production of farm inputs (such as fertilizer, feed supplements). The main purpose of this research study was to evaluate energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, the carbon footprint, of pastoral and barn dairy systems located in Canterbury, New Zealand. The carbon footprints were estimated based on direct and indirect energy sources. The study results showed that, on average, the carbon footprints of pastoral and barn dairy systems were 2857 kgCO 2 ha −1 and 3379 kgCO 2 ha −1 , respectively. For the production of one tonne of milk solids, the carbon footprint was 1920 kgCO 2 tMS −1 and 2129 kgCO 2 tMS −1 , respectively. The carbon emission difference between the two systems indicates that the barn system has 18% and 11% higher carbon footprint than the pastoral system, both per hectare of farm area and per tonne of milk solids, respectively. The greater carbon footprint of the barn system was due to more use of imported feed supplements, machinery usage and fossil fuel (diesel and petrol) consumption for on-farm activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Hafiz Muhammad Abrar Ilyas & Majeed Safa & Alison Bailey & Sara Rauf & Marvin Pangborn, 2019. "The Carbon Footprint of Energy Consumption in Pastoral and Barn Dairy Farming Systems: A Case Study from Canterbury, New Zealand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:17:p:4809-:d:263660
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hafiz Muhammad Abrar Ilyas & Majeed Safa & Alison Bailey & Sara Rauf & Azeem Khan, 2020. "Energy Efficiency Outlook of New Zealand Dairy Farming Systems: An Application of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Sara Martinez & Jose Luis Gabriel & Sergio Alvarez & Anibal Capuano & Maria del Mar Delgado, 2021. "Integral Assessment of Organic Fertilization on a Camelina sativa Rotation under Mediterranean Conditions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
    3. Chenyang Liu & Xinyao Wang & Ziming Bai & Hongye Wang & Cuixia Li, 2023. "Does Digital Technology Application Promote Carbon Emission Efficiency in Dairy Farms? Evidence from China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-23, April.
    4. Kun Mo LEE & Min Hyeok LEE, 2021. "Uncertainty of the Electricity Emission Factor Incorporating the Uncertainty of the Fuel Emission Factors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-14, September.
    5. Xinyi Du & Qi Wang & Yingying Zheng & Jinming Gui & Songhuai Du & Zhengxiang Shi, 2023. "Sustainable Planning Strategy of Dairy Farming in China Based on Carbon Emission from Direct Energy Consumption," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, April.

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