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An Integrated Analysis of Dairy Farming: Direct and Indirect Environmental Interactions in Challenging Bio-Physical Conditions

Author

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  • Shir Triky

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel)

  • Meidad Kissinger

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel)

Abstract

The demand for milk and its products is growing worldwide. The need to find more efficient ways to produce milk while reducing pressure on the local and global environment has been identified. The Israeli dairy system operates in a challenging environment (limited land, water, and a harsh climate). This paper embraces a life cycle assessment (LCA) framework to analyze various local and global direct and indirect environmental interactions of milk production in Israel. The results show that the production of 1 kg of fat and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) in the systems that were analyzed requires on average 0.5 m 2 of land, 52 L of water, and 3.3 MJ of energy. The emissions that were generated over the life cycle averaged 1.03 kg CO 2 -eq (GWP), 0.0095 kg SO 2 -eq (AP) and 0.003 kg PO 4 -eq (EP). The research findings point to several ‘pollution hotspots’ that are relevant also to dairy systems in other regions, including feed supply, GHG emissions that are related to enteric fermentation, manure management, and the use of water, and discuss some potential directions to advance more efficient, less polluting system.

Suggested Citation

  • Shir Triky & Meidad Kissinger, 2022. "An Integrated Analysis of Dairy Farming: Direct and Indirect Environmental Interactions in Challenging Bio-Physical Conditions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:4:p:480-:d:782360
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Meul, Marijke & Van Middelaar, Corina E. & de Boer, Imke J.M. & Van Passel, Steven & Fremaut, Dirk & Haesaert, Geert, 2014. "Potential of life cycle assessment to support environmental decision making at commercial dairy farms," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 105-115.
    2. Nijdam, Durk & Rood, Trudy & Westhoek, Henk, 2012. "The price of protein: Review of land use and carbon footprints from life cycle assessments of animal food products and their substitutes," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 760-770.
    3. Fridman, Dor & Kissinger, Meidad, 2018. "An integrated biophysical and ecosystem approach as a base for ecosystem services analysis across regions," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 31(PB), pages 242-254.
    4. Kissinger, Meidad & Gottlieb, Dan, 2010. "Place oriented ecological footprint analysis -- The case of Israel's grain supply," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 1639-1645, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eva Polyak & Zita Breitenbach & Eszter Frank & Olivia Mate & Maria Figler & Dorottya Zsalig & Klara Simon & Mate Szijarto & Zoltan Szabo, 2023. "Food and Sustainability: Is It a Matter of Choice?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, April.

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