GHG emissions from housed dairy wintering systems

Greenhouse gas (GHG) footprints from dairy farm systems associated with housed wintering systems

Housed wintering systems in the southern South Island help reduce the on-paddock environmental impact of dairy cow winter forage grazing practices. However, a recent review of wintering systems indicated that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stored manure and manure handling in housed systems are not well understood and that there is a risk of ‘pollution swapping’ if this is not carefully managed. Farmers and dairy industry representatives want to better understand the GHG footprint of contrasting wintering systems in order to make informed decisions regarding their adoption or extension. This project aims to provide improved understanding and to develop best practices for reducing the environmental footprint from housed wintering systems.

Expected outcomes of this project

Benefit

Dairy farmers and the dairy industry will be able to make more informed decisions on the potential impact of housed wintering systems. Such information is critical when making decisions on the granting of resource consents for future farm operations that include housed livestock systems.

These benefits will assist New Zealand dairy farmers and their industry to remain internationally competitive.

The BMP guidelines will be made available to farmers to assist them make informed decisions on the benefits of housed wintering systems from an environmental impact viewpoint.

The findings will be incorporated into the Best Management Practice toolbox which is currently been developed by AgResearch in the FRST surface water quality programme.This toolbox will be available to farmers to help determine options for reducing the environmental impact of farm practice. The toolbox includes a cost:benefit assessment of the various mitigation options.