The impact of low-input grass-based and high-input confinement-based dairy systems on food production, environmental protection and resource use. Issue 8 (13th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dentler, Juliane; Kiefer, Lukas; Hummler, Theresa; Bahrs, Enno; Elsaesser, Martin
• Is Part Of: Agroecology and sustainable food systems. Volume 44:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 1089
• Page End: 1110
• Publication Date: 2020-09-13
• Subjects: Human-edible feed conversion efficiency -- energy use efficiency -- nutrient use efficiency -- dairy system -- sustainability; Sustainable agriculture -- Periodicals; Agricultural ecology -- Periodicals; 577.55
• DOI: 10.1080/21683565.2020.1712572
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2168-3565

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess if dairy intensification is associated with increased efficiency in food production, nutrient, and energy use. In-depth data from 12 high-input confinement-based and 12 low-input grass-based dairy farms in southwest Germany were analyzed. The study found that relative to high-input dairy systems, low-input grass-based dairy systems were 334% better in human-edible crude protein conversion efficiency and 328% better in human-edible gross energy conversion efficiency. Low-input dairy systems showed 28% higher nitrogen and 98% higher phosphorus use efficiencies. Results revealed no difference in energy conversion efficiency between the contrasting dairy systems. As a result, the ongoing intensification of dairy systems utilizing substantial amounts of human-edible crops, puts global food security at risk, has undesirable side effects on the environment and fails to utilize the evolutionary advantage of ruminants.