Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Dairy Goats vs. Dairy Cows – A student reading reference

As the world seeks solutions to mitigate climate change, agriculture, and particularly the dairy sector, plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While dairy cows are often the focus of environmental discussions, dairy goats are increasingly being examined as a more sustainable alternative in certain regions. But how do the emissions from dairy goats compare to those from dairy cows? And what can we learn by studying both?

A Closer Look at GHG Emissions

The key difference between the two lies in methane emissions from enteric fermentation. Dairy cows, due to their larger size and greater feed intake, produce much more methane (CH?) than goats. However, goats are still ruminants, and their smaller size does not entirely exempt them from contributing to methane production.

What’s intriguing is the comparison per unit of milk produced. Cows are more efficient milk producers, so while their overall GHG emissions are higher, the emissions per liter of milk can sometimes be lower compared to goats, which produce less milk. This raises the question: is smaller always more sustainable, or is productivity the key factor in evaluating environmental impact?

The Role of Manure and Feed Efficiency

Another aspect of emissions is manure management. Cows, with their larger size, generate more manure, which can lead to increased emissions of methane and nitrous oxide (N?O). In contrast, goats produce less manure, potentially making their environmental impact lower, particularly in small-scale operations. However, when it comes to feeding, goats can thrive on lower-quality forage, making them more adaptable to regions with less arable land or fewer resources for high-energy feeds.

This presents an exciting opportunity for students to explore the regional suitability of dairy goats versus cows. In countries like Indonesia, where land resources and climate are distinct, which animal offers a more sustainable option?

A Call for Further Research

There is still much to learn about the environmental impacts of dairy farming, especially when comparing species like goats and cows. For students studying environmental science, agriculture, or sustainability, this topic presents a fascinating area for research.

Potential questions to explore include:

• How do local conditions (climate, land use, and farming practices) affect the GHG emissions of dairy cows vs. dairy goats?
• Can small-scale goat farming provide a more sustainable model for milk production in tropical regions like Southeast Asia?
• What innovations in manure management or feed efficiency could reduce emissions in both dairy cows and goats?

Engage and Share Your Insights

If you’re passionate about agriculture and sustainability, dive into this topic and share your thoughts! How do you think Indonesia’s dairy sector can balance productivity with environmental sustainability? Should goats play a larger role in the country’s future dairy plans? Let’s discuss in the comments, and encourage your fellow students to join the conversation by conducting their own research.

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Useful Reading

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2. Beauchemin, K. A., Janzen, H. H., Little, S. M., McAllister, T. A., & McGinn, S. M. (2010). "Life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from beef production in western Canada: A case study." Agricultural Systems, 103(6), 371-379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2010.03.008
3. Bell, M. J., Wall, E., Russell, G., Simm, G., & Stott, A. W. (2011). "The effect of improving cow productivity, fertility, and longevity on the global warming potential of dairy systems." Journal of Dairy Science, 94(7), 3662-3678. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-4029
4. Capper, J. L., Cady, R. A., & Bauman, D. E. (2009). "The environmental impact of dairy production: 1944 compared with 2007." Journal of Animal Science, 87(6), 2160-2167. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2009-1781
5. Crosson, P., Shalloo, L., O'Brien, D., Lanigan, G. J., Foley, P. A., Boland, T. M., & Kenny, D. A. (2011). "A review of whole farm systems models of greenhouse gas emissions from beef and dairy cattle production systems." Animal Feed Science and Technology, 166, 29-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.04.001
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7. Garnsworthy, P. C. (2004). "The environmental impact of fertility in dairy cows: A modelling approach to predict methane and ammonia emissions." Animal Feed Science and Technology, 112(1-4), 211-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2003.10.013
8. Garnsworthy, P. C. (2011). "The role of greenhouse gases in dairy systems: Economic implications." Journal of Dairy Science, 94(2), 599-609. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3783
9. Gerber, P. J., Henderson, B., & Makkar, H. P. S. (2013). Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in livestock production: A review of technical options for non-CO? emissions. FAO. https://www.fao.org/3/i3288e/i3288e.pdf
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12. Hristov, A. N., Oh, J., Lee, C., Meinen, R., Montes, F., Ott, T., ... & Firkins, J. (2013). Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in livestock production–A review of technical options for non-CO? emissions. FAO. https://www.fao.org/3/i3288e/i3288e.pdf
13. H?glund-Isaksson, L., Thomson, A., & Winiwarter, W. (2012). "Global anthropogenic methane emissions 2005-2030: technical mitigation potentials and costs." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 12(19), 9079-9096. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-9079-2012
14. Johnson, K. A., & Johnson, D. E. (1995). "Methane emissions from cattle." Journal of Animal Science, 73(8), 2483-2492. https://doi.org/10.2527/1995.7382483x
15. Knapp, J. R., Laur, G. L., Vadas, P. A., Weiss, W. P., & Tricarico, J. M. (2014). "Invited review: Enteric methane in dairy cattle production: Quantifying the opportunities and impact of reducing emissions." Journal of Dairy Science, 97(6), 3231-3261. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-7234
16. Martin, C., Morgavi, D. P., & Doreau, M. (2010). "Methane mitigation in ruminants: From microbe to the farm scale." Animal, 4(3), 351-365. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731109990620
17. Mena, Y., Nahed, J., Ruiz, F. A., Ruiz-Rojas, J. L., & Castel, J. M. (2011). "Evaluating mountain goat dairy systems for the purposes of conservation of biodiversity and rural development." Small Ruminant Research, 98(1-3), 83-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.03.007
18. Monahan, F. J., Shalloo, L., & O’Donovan, M. (2013). "The effect of grazing on methane emissions from dairy cows." Journal of Dairy Science, 96(12), 7924-7935. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-6322
19. Niu, M., Kebreab, E., Hristov, A. N., Oh, J., Arndt, C., Bannink, A., ... & Hanigan, M. D. (2018). "Prediction of enteric methane production, yield, and intensity in dairy cattle using an intercontinental database." Global Change Biology, 24(8), 3368-3389. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14094
20. Place, S. E., & Mitloehner, F. M. (2010). "Invited review: Contemporary environmental issues: A review of the dairy industry's role in climate change and air quality and the potential of mitigation through improved production efficiency." Journal of Dairy Science, 93(8), 3407-3416. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2719
21. Powell, J. M., Grabber, J. H., Hymes-Fecht, U. C., & Jackson-Smith, D. B. (2011). "Dairy manure use in Wisconsin: Lessons learned for farmers and the environment." Journal of Environmental Quality, 40(1), 242-252. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2010.0137
22. Ripoll-Bosch, R., de Boer, I. J. M., Bernués, A., & Vellinga, T. V. (2013). "Greenhouse gas emissions from small ruminant farming in semi-arid regions: A case study of Spanish sheep farms." Journal of Environmental Management, 119, 103-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.12.038
23. Shreck, A. L., Neel, J. P. S., Bryan, W. B., & Pent, C. J. (2014). "Effect of rotational stocking and hay feeding system on methane and ammonia emissions from wintering beef cows." Journal of Environmental Quality, 43(4), 1664-1670. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2013.10.0422
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