The Australian dairy industry
carbon footprint
What is the carbon footprint of the average
Australian dairy farm?
What do these results mean?
In 2009/10, the average Australian milk production carbon
footprint at the farmgate was calculated to be 1.11
kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of fat
and protein corrected milk (1.11 kgCO2eq per kg FPCM).
•
The carbon footprint of Australian dairying is one of the
lowest internationally. Importantly, Australia has an average
carbon footprint compared to countries with advanced
dairying industries. The inherent flexibility of Australian
dairying’s farming systems to adapt to climatic conditions
helps it to contain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Where do farm emissions come from?
Figure 1 shows the GHG emissions from specific activities
on the average Australian dairy farm.
Enteric fermentation:
Average Australian farm: 57% of emissions
Enteric fermentation in cattle is the digestive process during
which carbohydrates are broken down by micro-organisms
in the rumen. Methane is created as a by-product and mostly
emitted through the mouth of the cow. Enteric fermentation
is influenced by a number of factors, including feed quality,
milk yield and feed conversion efficiency.
Manure storage, application and excretion on pastures
during grazing:
•
Average Australian farm: 18% of emissions
Some of the nitrogen in dung and urine excreted onto
pastures during grazing is lost as nitrous oxide emissions
due to the breakdown of ammonia and other forms of
nitrogen (nitrification and denitrification). This process also
occurs during manure storage and manure application onto
arable land and pastures.
Fertiliser application and supply:
•
Average Australian farm: 8% of emissions
Fertiliser supply and application includes GHG emissions
from the energy-intensive production process of mineral
fertilisers, as well as nitrous oxide emissions from the
application and breakdown of nitrogen fertilisers in soil.
Energy use:
•
Average Australian farm: 8% of emissions
Energy use can include electricity used for pumps, feed mills,
and fuels for generators, tractors, other engines and auxiliary
materials. Though there was significant variation between
farms, the average amount of diesel consumed to produce
1 kg of milk was 0.008 litres and the average amount of
electricity was 0.190 kWh.
Purchased concentrate and forage feeds:
a) Enteric fermentation 57%
b) Manure: nitrous oxide from storage/application 2%
c) Manure: methane from storage 6%
d) Manure: nitrous oxide from grazing 9%
e) Manure: methane from grazing 1%
f) Fertiliser application 3%
g) Fertiliser supply 5%
h) Energy use 8%
i) Purchased feed: concentrate 8%
j) Purchased feed: forage 1%
Figure 1: Relative contribution (%) of different farming phases
to the average Australian milk production carbon footprint
•
Average Australian farm: 9% of emissions
Emissions related to on-farm forage and feed production are
included in the emissions from fertilisers and energy.
Purchased feed is divided into purchased forages and
purchased concentrates.
Land use change
Some farm assessments included emissions due to the
impact of land use change. This is in line with internationally
agreed methodology that requires an addition for land use
change for palm kernel and soybean meal imported from
Brazil and Malaysia.
How were the results calculated?
What can farmers do with this information?
The methodology for this study was developed according
to international standards (ISO 14040 and ISO 14044) and
dairy industry-specific carbon footprinting guidelines
published by the International Dairy Federation (IDF 2010).
IDF guidelines can be viewed at www.idf-lca-guide.org.
Dairy farmers and processors have a strong track record
of working to improve financial, environmental and social
outcomes. They understand that sustainability and industry
profitability are interdependent. The large number of
sustainability initiatives the industry currently undertakes
demonstrates this.
During the 2009/10 financial year a range of data was
collected from 140 dairy farms in six of Australia’s eight
dairy regions, and from 15 manufacturing facilities across
the country. This data was collected to measure GHG
emissions associated with the production of nine major
dairy products and the on-farm production of milk. The
results will define the carbon impact of Australian dairy
production and help farmers and manufacturers to
understand the contribution their operations make to the
carbon footprint of the industry.
The study calculated GHG emissions based on the
production of 1 kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM;
4% fat, 3.3% protein content). This ensures comparisons
can be made between milk with different fat and protein
contents.
To accurately measure the specific sources of GHG
emissions on each farm, the following farm system inputs
were included in the study:
•
On-farm milk production, including animal production (including all stock classes, i.e. milking herd, heifers and bulls), herd management (diesel, petrol), milk harvesting (electricity and refrigerants), manure management (methane and nitrous oxide) and water supply (electricity).
• Feed/fodder production, including production of brought-in supplementary feed.
• Production of synthetic fertilisers, diesel, pesticide and energy.
•
Any activities which take place on other farms which affect the assessed farm (e.g. agisted animals).
•
Transport of fodder, fertilisers, chemicals and fuels to the farm.
Transportation of raw milk to the processing plant is
allocated to the processed dairy products system.
Dairy Australia invests in a number of key programs and
initiatives aimed at helping farmers and processors with
GHG emission reduction strategies. These include:
Smarter Energy Use on Australian Dairy Farms
This project will provide farmers with information and
technical support to improve farm energy efficiency
including funding for 900 energy audits. Funds are
provided by the Department of Climate Change and
Energy Efficiency and the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry.
Research into strategies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions whilst increasing productivity
Specific projects include:
•
evaluating the methane mitigation potential of a range of feed supplements and pasture forages
•
improving nitrogen use efficiency on dairy farms for productivity and sustainability gains
•
potential for Smart-N technology to reduce nitrogen fertiliser use.
More information on practices to reduce GHG emissions
can be found in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions module of
DairySAT at www.dairyingfortomorrow.com.
Future Ready Dairy Systems offers practical and profitable
practices for dairy farmers to deal with increased climate
variability and carbon emissions policy.
Visit http://frds.dairyaustralia.com.au.
Further information
A Q&A fact sheet with further information about this study
is available via the Dairy Australia website at
www.dairyaustralia.com.au.
The main product from a dairy farm is milk. However, all
dairy farms produce both milk and meat. Whilst meat is
generated from surplus calves and cull dairy cows, all GHG
emissions generated by the farm must be accounted for
and allocated to either meat or milk. This step is necessary
to compare farms with a different ratio between milk and
meat production.
Dairy Australia Limited ABN 60 105 227 987
Level 5, IBM Centre
60 City Road, Southbank Victoria 3006 Australia
T: +61 9694 3777 F: +61 9694 3888
www.dairyaustralia.com.au