The Effects of System Changes in Grazed

An important challenge facing the New Zealand (NZ) dairy industry is development of production systems that can maintain or increase production and profitability, while reducing impacts on receiving environments including water and air. Using research ‘farmlets’ in Waikato, Canterbury, and Otago (32–200 animals per herd), we assessed if system changes aimed at reducing nitrate leaching can also reduce total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (measuring methane and nitrous oxide). Our study compared ‘current’ and ‘improved’ grazed dairy system practices, revealing that ‘improved’ systems generally produced lower GHG emissions while maintaining milk production. The analysis highlighted that the amount of feed eaten per hectare was the key driver of total GHG emissions per area. Consequently, ‘improved’ systems exhibited lower total enteric methane and less nitrogen flowing through the herd. This study thus demonstrates a direct link between sustainable dairy practices and environmental benefits, showing that enhancements in farming systems can align agricultural productivity with ecological responsibility.