LUDF Carbon Footprint

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was calculated for the cradle-to-farm-gate milk production at Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) for the 2018-19 season. This study was conducted by Andre Mazzetto of AgResearch. Emissions from the milking platform, wintering block and the grazing of replacements have been accounted for, as well as emissions from the production, transport and use of all farm inputs (including fertiliser, agrichemicals, brought in feeds, fuel and electricity).

Minor agri-chemicals such as treatments for intestinal parasites, mastitis and shed cleaning chemicals were not accounted for in the carbon footprint assessment but will have a negligible contribution.

During the 2018-19 season LUDF produced 285,670 kgMS, which is equivalent to 3,556,426 kg FPCM (‘Fat-Protein-Correct Milk’- standardized to 4% fat and 3.3% pure protein per kilogram). Milk production accounts for 88% of emissions, with the remaining 12% being allocated to meat. This equates to total greenhouse gas emissions of 2,765,194 kg CO₂-eq from LUDF’s 2018-19 season. The carbon footprint for 1 kgMS of milk produced on LUDF is 8.52 kg CO₂-eq and the carbon footprint for 1 kgLW of meat on LUDF is 4.6 kg CO₂-eq, both of which are lower than the most recent published study in NZ for an average dairy farm (Figure 1). The main factors influencing this is the minimal use of imported feed and the pasture-based management of the farm.

The largest contributor to LUDF’s carbon footprint was the enteric fermentation associated with annual rumen digestion of feed, accounting for 73% of the total emissions. The second greatest sources of CO₂ emissions were from pasture production and fertiliser (production and use), each accounting for 5% respectively of total emissions.

Table 1. Summary of LUDF’s Carbon Footprint

Figure 1. Carbon Footprint of Milk and Meat

Table 2. Summary of annual milk production, and animal data for the 2018-19 season on LUDF

*based on relative feed requirements for milk production to milk plus meat

Table 3. Carbon footprint and percentage contribution from different sources to the carbon footprint of milk

FDE: Farm Dairying Effluent

Table 4. Relative Contribution of each GHG to LUDF’s Carbon Footprint of milk

Table 5. Sources of each GHG from LUDF’s Carbon Footprint

* Includes wintering off and replacements area

Figure 2. Cradle-to-farm-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of milk production from the Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF), including the wintering of cows off farm and the grazing of replacement animals on a support block.