Intensive farming cuts carbon footprint, latest studies reveal

MORE intensive farming produces a lesser carbon footprint than allowing cattle to graze freely, according to two presentations at a recent Alltech conference in Kentucky, USA.

A study by Dr Judith L Capper of the Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University showed more intensive farming had led to Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions being reduced by 63% per kg milk from 1994 to 2007.

Dr Capper told attendees in Kentucky that advances in nutrition, genetics and management facilitated an increase in annual milk yield from 2,074kg to 9,193kg over this period, resulting in 21% of the animals, 23% of the feed, 35% of the water and 10% of the land being required to produce one kg of milk in 2007 compared to 1944.