Estimating milk production losses by heat stress and its impacts on greenhouse gas emissions in Korean dairy farms
Meteorological disasters caused by climate change like heat, cold waves, and unusually long rainy seasons affect the milk productivity of cows. Studies have been conducted on how milk productivity and milk compositions change due to heat st...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Korean Society of Animal Sciences and Technology
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Animal Science and Technology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ejast.org/archive/view_article?pid=jast-64-4-770 |
| Summary: | Meteorological disasters caused by climate change like heat, cold waves, and
unusually long rainy seasons affect the milk productivity of cows. Studies have
been conducted on how milk productivity and milk compositions change due to heat
stress (HS). However, the estimation of losses in milk production due to HS and
hereby environmental impacts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are yet to be
evaluated in Korean dairy farms. Dairy milk production and milk compositions
data from March to October 2018, provided by the Korea Dairy Committee (KDC),
were used to compare regional milk production with the temperature-humidity
index (THI). Raw data for the daily temperature and relative humidity in 2018
were obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). This data was
used to calculate the THI and the difference between the maximum and minimum
temperature changing rate, as the average daily temperature range, to show the
extent to which the temperature gap can affect milk productivity. The amount of
milk was calculated based on the price of 926 won/kg from KDC. The results
showed that the average milk production rate was the highest within the THI
range 60–73 in three regions in May: Chulwon (northern region), Hwasung
(central region), and Gunwi (southern region). The average milk production
decreased by 4.96 ± 1.48% in northern region, 7.12 ±
2.36% in central region, and 7.94 ± 2.57% in southern
region from June to August, which had a THI range of 73 or more, when compared
to May. Based on the results, the level of THI should be maintained like May. If
so, the farmers can earn a profit of 9,128,730 won/farm in northern region,
9,967,880 won/farm in central region, and 12,245,300 won/farm in southern
region. Additionally, the average number of cows raised can be reduced by 2.41
± 0.35 heads/farm, thereby reducing GHG emissions by 29.61 ± 4.36
kg CO2eq/day on average. Overall, the conclusion suggests that
maintaining environmental conditions in the summer that are similar to those in
May is necessary. This knowledge can be used for basic research to persuade
farmers to change farm facilities to increase the economic benefits and improve
animal welfare. |
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| ISSN: | 2672-0191 2055-0391 |