Technical performance and carbon footprint of commercial dairy farms in South West Uganda

The aim of the present study was to evaluate technical performance and carbon footprint of 101 dairy farms participating the dairy development project SNV TIDE in south western Uganda. Results showed that average 24-h milk yield per lactating cow was 7.1 ± 2.0 (SD) kg/cow/d, and estimated annual milk yield was 1626 ± 614 kg/cow/y. Average calving interval was 483 ± 64 days, mortality rate of adult cows was 3.2 ± 4.8 % per farm, and average culling rate of adult cows was 18 ± 15 % per farm. With regard to the carbon footprint of farms, estimated average greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity was 2.1 kg CO2-eq per kg fat and protein correct milk and 13.6 kg CO2-eq per kg live weight. Most important sources of GHG emissions were rumen enteric fermentation (83%), followed by manure (11%), and feed production (5%). GHG emission intensity was lower in specialized farms than in mixed crop-livestock farms; lower in farms with supplemental feeding besides grazing than in farms with grazing only; and in farms with crossbreds than in farms with HF as predominant breed. GHG emission intensity was highest in Ntungamo district (2.6 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM) and lowest in Kiruhura district (1.8 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM).