Study determines the carbon footprint of milk

Brownfield Ag News September 23, 2010 by Bob Meyer

USDA has released the results of a comprehensive study to determine the carbon footprint of milk. The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy commissioned the University of Arkansas’ Applied Sustainability Center to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) that measured the greenhouse gas emissions created from when crops are grown to feed cows all the way to the disposal of the milk carton by the consumer.

Together with data from additional studies, the carbon footprint study indicates that total U.S. dairy greenhouse gas emissions are approximately 2 percent of total U.S. emissions.

One of its key findings is that the increased adoption of best management practices along the entire fluid milk supply chain can increase profitability while improving environmental sustainability.

According to Cornell University, the carbon footprint of milk production dropped by 63% between 1944 – 2007 as a result of production efficiencies, nutrition management and other on-farm improvements.

Read the full study here: