| The environmental impact of dairy production: 1944 compared with 2007. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19286817 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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A common perception is that pasture-based, low-input dairy systems characteristic of the 1940s were more conducive to environmental stewardship than modern milk production systems. The objective of this study was to compare the environmental impact of modern (2007) US dairy production with historical production practices as exemplified by the US dairy system in 1944. A deterministic model based on the metabolism and nutrient requirements of the dairy herd was used to estimate resource inputs and waste outputs per billion kg of milk. Both the modern and historical production systems were modeled using characteristic management practices, herd population dynamics, and production data from US dairy farms. Modern dairy practices require considerably fewer resources than dairying in 1944 with 21% of animals, 23% of feedstuffs, 35% of the water, and only 10% of the land required to produce the same 1 billion kg of milk. Waste outputs were similarly reduced, with modern dairy systems producing 24% of the manure, 43% of CH(4), and 56% of N(2)O per billion kg of milk compared with equivalent milk from historical dairying. The carbon footprint per billion kilograms of milk produced in 2007 was 37% of equivalent milk production in 1944. To fulfill the increasing requirements of the US population for dairy products, it is essential to adopt management practices and technologies that improve productive efficiency, allowing milk production to be increased while reducing resource use and mitigating environmental impact. |
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Authors:
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J L Capper; R A Cady; D E Bauman |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Historical Article; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2009-03-13 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of animal science Volume: 87 ISSN: 1525-3163 ISO Abbreviation: J. Anim. Sci. Publication Date: 2009 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-05-15 Completed Date: 2009-08-25 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8003002 Medline TA: J Anim Sci Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 2160-7 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animal Husbandry
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history,
methods Animals Cattle Dairying* / history, methods Environment* Environmental Pollutants Female History, 20th Century History, 21st Century Milk Models, Theoretical |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Environmental Pollutants |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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