Introduction to Dairy Life Cycle Assessment

Overview

The dairy industry plays a crucial role in global food security, but it also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding and quantifying the environmental impact of dairy production is essential for sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

The cowfootR package provides a comprehensive toolkit for calculating dairy farm carbon footprints following internationally recognized standards, specifically the International Dairy Federation (IDF) 2022 guidelines and IPCC 2019 methodologies.

Theoretical Background

Life Cycle Assessment in Dairy Production

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic approach to evaluating the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle. In dairy production, LCA helps quantify greenhouse gas emissions from various sources within the farm system.

Key Emission Sources in Dairy Systems

Dairy farm emissions primarily originate from five main sources:

Enteric Fermentation: Methane (CH₄) produced during digestion in ruminants
Manure Management: CH₄ and nitrous oxide (N₂O) from manure storage and treatment
Soil Emissions: N₂O from nitrogen fertilizers and excreta deposition
Energy Use: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) from fossil fuel combustion and electricity
Purchased Inputs: Embodied emissions in feeds, fertilizers, and materials

System Boundaries

System boundaries define which processes are included in the assessment:

Farm Gate: Includes on-farm emissions only
Cradle-to-Farm Gate: Includes upstream production of inputs
Partial: Custom selection of emission sources

Functional Units and Intensity Metrics

Results are expressed using functional units that allow meaningful comparisons:

kg CO₂eq per kg FPCM: Fat and Protein Corrected Milk intensity
kg CO₂eq per hectare: Land use intensity
Absolute emissions: Total farm emissions in kg CO₂eq per year

Getting Started with cowfootR

Installation

# Install from CRAN (when available)
install.packages("cowfootR")

# Or install development version from GitHub
# devtools::install_github("yourusername/cowfootR")

Loading the Package

library(cowfootR)

Basic Workflow

The typical cowfootR workflow involves four main steps:

Define system boundaries
Calculate emissions by source
Aggregate total emissions
Calculate intensity metrics

Let’s walk through a simple example:

Example: Basic Farm Assessment

Step 1: Define System Boundaries

# Define farm-gate boundaries (most common approach)
boundaries <- set_system_boundaries("farm_gate")
print(boundaries)
#> $scope
#> [1] "farm_gate"
#> 
#> $include
#> [1] "enteric" "manure"  "soil"    "energy"  "inputs"

Step 2: Basic Farm Data

For this example, we’ll use data from a typical dairy farm:

# Farm characteristics
farm_data <- list(
  # Herd composition
  dairy_cows = 100,
  heifers = 30,
  calves = 25,
  
  # Production
  milk_litres = 600000,  # Annual milk production
  milk_yield_per_cow = 6000,  # kg/cow/year
  
  # Farm area
  total_area_ha = 120,
  productive_area_ha = 110,
  
  # Inputs
  concentrate_kg = 180000,  # Annual concentrate use
  n_fertilizer_kg = 1500,   # Nitrogen fertilizer
  diesel_litres = 8000,     # Annual diesel consumption
  electricity_kwh = 35000   # Annual electricity use
)

print(farm_data)
#> $dairy_cows
#> [1] 100
#> 
#> $heifers
#> [1] 30
#> 
#> $calves
#> [1] 25
#> 
#> $milk_litres
#> [1] 6e+05
#> 
#> $milk_yield_per_cow
#> [1] 6000
#> 
#> $total_area_ha
#> [1] 120
#> 
#> $productive_area_ha
#> [1] 110
#> 
#> $concentrate_kg
#> [1] 180000
#> 
#> $n_fertilizer_kg
#> [1] 1500
#> 
#> $diesel_litres
#> [1] 8000
#> 
#> $electricity_kwh
#> [1] 35000

Step 3: Calculate Emissions by Source

Now we calculate emissions from each source using the individual calculation functions:

Enteric Fermentation

# Calculate enteric methane emissions
enteric_emissions <- calc_emissions_enteric(
  n_animals = farm_data$dairy_cows,
  cattle_category = "dairy_cows",
  avg_milk_yield = farm_data$milk_yield_per_cow,
  tier = 2,  # Use Tier 2 for more accurate results
  boundaries = boundaries
)

print(enteric_emissions)
#> $source
#> [1] "enteric"
#> 
#> $category
#> [1] "dairy_cows"
#> 
#> $production_system
#> [1] "mixed"
#> 
#> $ch4_kg
#> [1] 9429.19
#> 
#> $co2eq_kg
#> [1] 256474
#> 
#> $emission_factors
#> $emission_factors$emission_factor_ch4
#> [1] 94.292
#> 
#> $emission_factors$ym_percent
#> [1] 6.5
#> 
#> $emission_factors$gwp_ch4
#> [1] 27.2
#> 
#> $emission_factors$method_used
#> [1] "Tier 2"
#> 
#> 
#> $inputs
#> $inputs$n_animals
#> [1] 100
#> 
#> $inputs$avg_body_weight
#> [1] 550
#> 
#> $inputs$avg_milk_yield
#> [1] 6000
#> 
#> $inputs$dry_matter_intake
#> NULL
#> 
#> $inputs$feed_inputs
#> NULL
#> 
#> $inputs$tier
#> [1] 2
#> 
#> 
#> $methodology
#> [1] "IPCC Tier 2 (GE-based where possible)"
#> 
#> $standards
#> [1] "IPCC 2019 Refinement, IDF 2022"
#> 
#> $date
#> [1] "2025-09-16"
#> 
#> $per_animal
#> $per_animal$ch4_kg
#> [1] 94.292
#> 
#> $per_animal$co2eq_kg
#> [1] 2564.741
#> 
#> $per_animal$milk_intensity_kg_co2eq_per_kg_milk
#> [1] 0.4275

Manure Management

# Calculate manure management emissions
manure_emissions <- calc_emissions_manure(
  n_cows = farm_data$dairy_cows,
  manure_system = "pasture",  # Typical for extensive systems
  tier = 2,
  include_indirect = TRUE,
  boundaries = boundaries
)

print(manure_emissions)
#> $source
#> [1] "manure"
#> 
#> $system
#> [1] "pasture"
#> 
#> $tier
#> [1] 2
#> 
#> $climate
#> [1] "temperate"
#> 
#> $ch4_kg
#> [1] 2139.32
#> 
#> $n2o_direct_kg
#> [1] 314.29
#> 
#> $n2o_indirect_kg
#> [1] 57.75
#> 
#> $n2o_total_kg
#> [1] 372.04
#> 
#> $co2eq_kg
#> [1] 159755.4
#> 
#> $emission_factors
#> $emission_factors$ef_ch4
#> [1] NA
#> 
#> $emission_factors$ef_n2o_direct
#> [1] 0.02
#> 
#> $emission_factors$gwp_ch4
#> [1] 27.2
#> 
#> $emission_factors$gwp_n2o
#> [1] 273
#> 
#> 
#> $inputs
#> $inputs$n_cows
#> [1] 100
#> 
#> $inputs$n_excreted
#> [1] 100
#> 
#> $inputs$manure_system
#> [1] "pasture"
#> 
#> $inputs$include_indirect
#> [1] TRUE
#> 
#> $inputs$avg_body_weight
#> [1] 600
#> 
#> $inputs$diet_digestibility
#> [1] 0.65
#> 
#> 
#> $methodology
#> [1] "IPCC Tier 2 (VS_B0_MCF calculation)"
#> 
#> $standards
#> [1] "IPCC 2019 Refinement, IDF 2022"
#> 
#> $date
#> [1] "2025-09-16"
#> 
#> $per_cow
#> $per_cow$ch4_kg
#> [1] 21.3932
#> 
#> $per_cow$n2o_kg
#> [1] 3.720357
#> 
#> $per_cow$co2eq_kg
#> [1] 1597.553
#> 
#> 
#> $tier2_details
#> $tier2_details$vs_kg_per_day
#> [1] 32.4
#> 
#> $tier2_details$b0_used
#> [1] 0.18
#> 
#> $tier2_details$mcf_used
#> [1] 1.5

Soil Emissions

# Calculate soil N2O emissions
soil_emissions <- calc_emissions_soil(
  n_fertilizer_synthetic = farm_data$n_fertilizer_kg,
  n_excreta_pasture = farm_data$dairy_cows * 100,  # Estimated N excretion
  area_ha = farm_data$total_area_ha,
  soil_type = "well_drained",
  climate = "temperate",
  include_indirect = TRUE,
  boundaries = boundaries
)

print(soil_emissions)
#> $source
#> [1] "soil"
#> 
#> $soil_conditions
#> $soil_conditions$soil_type
#> [1] "well_drained"
#> 
#> $soil_conditions$climate
#> [1] "temperate"
#> 
#> 
#> $nitrogen_inputs
#> $nitrogen_inputs$synthetic_fertilizer_kg_n
#> [1] 1500
#> 
#> $nitrogen_inputs$organic_fertilizer_kg_n
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $nitrogen_inputs$excreta_pasture_kg_n
#> [1] 10000
#> 
#> $nitrogen_inputs$crop_residues_kg_n
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $nitrogen_inputs$total_kg_n
#> [1] 11500
#> 
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown
#> $emissions_breakdown$direct_n2o_kg
#> [1] 180.714
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown$indirect_volatilization_n2o_kg
#> [1] 33.786
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown$indirect_leaching_n2o_kg
#> [1] 40.661
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown$total_indirect_n2o_kg
#> [1] 74.446
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown$total_n2o_kg
#> [1] 255.161
#> 
#> 
#> $co2eq_kg
#> [1] 69658.88
#> 
#> $emission_factors
#> $emission_factors$ef_direct
#> [1] 0.01
#> 
#> $emission_factors$ef_volatilization
#> [1] 0.01
#> 
#> $emission_factors$ef_leaching
#> [1] 0.0075
#> 
#> $emission_factors$gwp_n2o
#> [1] 273
#> 
#> $emission_factors$factors_source
#> [1] "IPCC-style defaults (temperate, well_drained)"
#> 
#> 
#> $methodology
#> [1] "Tier 1-style (direct + indirect)"
#> 
#> $standards
#> [1] "IPCC 2019 Refinement, IDF 2022"
#> 
#> $date
#> [1] "2025-09-16"
#> 
#> $per_hectare_metrics
#> $per_hectare_metrics$n_input_kg_per_ha
#> [1] 95.8
#> 
#> $per_hectare_metrics$n2o_kg_per_ha
#> [1] 2.126
#> 
#> $per_hectare_metrics$co2eq_kg_per_ha
#> [1] 580.49
#> 
#> $per_hectare_metrics$emission_intensity_kg_co2eq_per_kg_n
#> [1] 6.06
#> 
#> 
#> $source_contributions
#> $source_contributions$synthetic_fertilizer_pct
#> [1] 13
#> 
#> $source_contributions$organic_fertilizer_pct
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $source_contributions$excreta_pasture_pct
#> [1] 87
#> 
#> $source_contributions$crop_residues_pct
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $source_contributions$direct_emissions_pct
#> [1] 70.8
#> 
#> $source_contributions$indirect_emissions_pct
#> [1] 29.2

Energy Use

# Calculate energy-related emissions
energy_emissions <- calc_emissions_energy(
  diesel_l = farm_data$diesel_litres,
  electricity_kwh = farm_data$electricity_kwh,
  country = "UY",  # Uruguay electricity grid
  boundaries = boundaries
)

print(energy_emissions)
#> $source
#> [1] "energy"
#> 
#> $fuel_emissions
#> $fuel_emissions$diesel_co2_kg
#> [1] 21360
#> 
#> $fuel_emissions$petrol_co2_kg
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $fuel_emissions$lpg_co2_kg
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $fuel_emissions$natural_gas_co2_kg
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $fuel_emissions$electricity_co2_kg
#> [1] 2800
#> 
#> 
#> $direct_co2eq_kg
#> [1] 24160
#> 
#> $upstream_co2eq_kg
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $co2eq_kg
#> [1] 24160
#> 
#> $emission_factors
#> $emission_factors$diesel_kg_co2_per_l
#> [1] 2.67
#> 
#> $emission_factors$petrol_kg_co2_per_l
#> [1] 2.31
#> 
#> $emission_factors$lpg_kg_co2_per_kg
#> [1] 3
#> 
#> $emission_factors$natural_gas_kg_co2_per_m3
#> [1] 2
#> 
#> $emission_factors$electricity_kg_co2_per_kwh
#> [1] 0.08
#> 
#> $emission_factors$electricity_country
#> [1] "UY"
#> 
#> 
#> $inputs
#> $inputs$diesel_l
#> [1] 8000
#> 
#> $inputs$petrol_l
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs$lpg_kg
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs$natural_gas_m3
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs$electricity_kwh
#> [1] 35000
#> 
#> $inputs$include_upstream
#> [1] FALSE
#> 
#> 
#> $methodology
#> [1] "IPCC 2019 emission factors"
#> 
#> $standards
#> [1] "IPCC 2019 Refinement, IDF 2022"
#> 
#> $date
#> [1] "2025-09-16"
#> 
#> $energy_metrics
#> $energy_metrics$electricity_share_pct
#> [1] 11.6
#> 
#> $energy_metrics$fossil_fuel_share_pct
#> [1] 88.4
#> 
#> $energy_metrics$co2_intensity_kg_per_mwh
#> [1] 80

Purchased Inputs

# Calculate emissions from purchased inputs
input_emissions <- calc_emissions_inputs(
  conc_kg = farm_data$concentrate_kg,
  fert_n_kg = farm_data$n_fertilizer_kg,
  region = "global",  # Use global emission factors
  boundaries = boundaries
)

print(input_emissions)
#> $source
#> [1] "inputs"
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown
#> $emissions_breakdown$concentrate_co2eq_kg
#> [1] 126000
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown$fertilizer_co2eq_kg
#> [1] 9900
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown$plastic_co2eq_kg
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown$feeds_co2eq_kg
#>  grain_dry  grain_wet     ration byproducts   proteins       corn        soy 
#>          0          0          0          0          0          0          0 
#>      wheat 
#>          0 
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown$total_feeds_co2eq_kg
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $emissions_breakdown$transport_adjustment_co2eq_kg
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> 
#> $co2eq_kg
#> [1] 135900
#> 
#> $total_co2eq_kg
#> [1] 135900
#> 
#> $region
#> [1] "global"
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used
#> $emission_factors_used$concentrate
#> $emission_factors_used$concentrate$value
#> [1] 0.7
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$concentrate$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg"
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$fertilizer
#> $emission_factors_used$fertilizer$value
#> [1] 6.6
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$fertilizer$type
#> [1] "mixed"
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$fertilizer$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg N"
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$plastic
#> $emission_factors_used$plastic$value
#> [1] 2.5
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$plastic$type
#> [1] "mixed"
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$plastic$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg"
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$grain_dry
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$grain_dry$value
#> [1] 0.4
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$grain_dry$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg"
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$grain_wet
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$grain_wet$value
#> [1] 0.3
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$grain_wet$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg"
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$ration
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$ration$value
#> [1] 0.6
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$ration$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg"
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$byproducts
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$byproducts$value
#> [1] 0.15
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$byproducts$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg"
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$proteins
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$proteins$value
#> [1] 1.8
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$proteins$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg"
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$corn
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$corn$value
#> [1] 0.45
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$corn$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg"
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$soy
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$soy$value
#> [1] 2.1
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$soy$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg"
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$wheat
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$wheat$value
#> [1] 0.52
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$feeds$wheat$unit
#> [1] "kg CO2e/kg"
#> 
#> 
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$region_source
#> [1] "global"
#> 
#> $emission_factors_used$transport_km
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> 
#> $inputs_summary
#> $inputs_summary$concentrate_kg
#> [1] 180000
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$fertilizer_n_kg
#> [1] 1500
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$plastic_kg
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$total_feeds_kg
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$feed_breakdown_kg
#> $inputs_summary$feed_breakdown_kg$grain_dry
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$feed_breakdown_kg$grain_wet
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$feed_breakdown_kg$ration
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$feed_breakdown_kg$byproducts
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$feed_breakdown_kg$proteins
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$feed_breakdown_kg$corn
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$feed_breakdown_kg$soy
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $inputs_summary$feed_breakdown_kg$wheat
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> 
#> 
#> $contribution_analysis
#> $contribution_analysis$concentrate_pct
#> [1] 92.7
#> 
#> $contribution_analysis$fertilizer_pct
#> [1] 7.3
#> 
#> $contribution_analysis$plastic_pct
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $contribution_analysis$feeds_pct
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> $contribution_analysis$transport_pct
#> [1] 0
#> 
#> 
#> $uncertainty
#> NULL
#> 
#> $methodology
#> [1] "Regional emission factors with optional uncertainty analysis"
#> 
#> $standards
#> [1] "IDF 2022; generic LCI sources"
#> 
#> $date
#> [1] "2025-09-16"

Step 4: Aggregate Total Emissions

# Combine all emission sources
total_emissions <- calc_total_emissions(
  enteric_emissions,
  manure_emissions,
  soil_emissions,
  energy_emissions,
  input_emissions
)

total_emissions
#> Carbon Footprint - Total Emissions
#> ==================================
#> Total CO2eq: 645948.3 kg
#> Number of sources: 5 
#> 
#> Breakdown by source:
#>   energy : 24160 kg CO2eq
#>   enteric : 256474 kg CO2eq
#>   inputs : 135900 kg CO2eq
#>   manure : 159755.4 kg CO2eq
#>   soil : 69658.88 kg CO2eq
#> 
#> Calculated on: 2025-09-16

Step 5: Calculate Intensity Metrics

Milk Intensity

# Calculate emissions per kg of milk (FPCM)
milk_intensity <- calc_intensity_litre(
  total_emissions = total_emissions,
  milk_litres = farm_data$milk_litres,
  fat = 3.8,      # Typical fat content
  protein = 3.2   # Typical protein content
)

print(milk_intensity)
#> Carbon Footprint Intensity
#> ==========================
#> Intensity: 1.08 kg CO2eq/kg FPCM
#> 
#> Production data:
#>  Raw milk (L): 6e+05 L
#>  Raw milk (kg): 618,000 kg
#>  FPCM (kg): 597,977 kg
#>  Fat content: 3.8 %
#>  Protein content: 3.2 %
#> 
#> Total emissions: 645,948 kg CO2eq
#> Calculated on: 2025-09-16

Area Intensity

# Calculate emissions per hectare
area_intensity <- calc_intensity_area(
  total_emissions = total_emissions,
  area_total_ha = farm_data$total_area_ha,
  area_productive_ha = farm_data$productive_area_ha,
  area_breakdown = list(
    pasture_permanent = 80,
    pasture_temporary = 20,
    crops_feed = 15,
    infrastructure = 5
  )
)

print(area_intensity)
#> Carbon Footprint Area Intensity
#> ===============================
#> Intensity (total area): 5382.9 kg CO2eq/ha
#> Intensity (productive area): 5872.26 kg CO2eq/ha
#> 
#> Area summary:
#>  Total area: 120 ha
#>  Productive area: 110 ha
#>  Land use efficiency: 91.7%
#> 
#> Land use breakdown:
#>  pasture permanent: 80.0 ha (66.7%) -> 430632 kg CO2eq
#>  pasture temporary: 20.0 ha (16.7%) -> 107658 kg CO2eq
#>  crops feed: 15.0 ha (12.5%) -> 80744 kg CO2eq
#>  infrastructure: 5.0 ha (4.2%) -> 26914 kg CO2eq
#> 
#> Total emissions: 645,948 kg CO2eq
#> Calculated on: 2025-09-16

Visualizing Results

Emission Source Breakdown

# Create a data frame for plotting
emission_breakdown <- data.frame(
  Source = names(total_emissions$breakdown),
  Emissions = as.numeric(total_emissions$breakdown)
)

# Create pie chart
ggplot(emission_breakdown, aes(x = "", y = Emissions, fill = Source)) +
  geom_col(width = 1) +
  coord_polar("y", start = 0) +
  theme_void() +
  labs(title = "Farm Emissions by Source",
       subtitle = paste("Total:", round(total_emissions$total_co2eq), "kg CO₂eq/year")) +
  theme(plot.title = element_text(hjust = 0.5),
        plot.subtitle = element_text(hjust = 0.5))

Figura generada por la viñeta; ver texto para detalles.

Intensity Comparison

# Create comparison chart
intensity_data <- data.frame(
  Metric = c("Milk Intensity\n(kg CO₂eq/kg FPCM)", 
             "Area Intensity\n(kg CO₂eq/ha)"),
  Value = c(milk_intensity$intensity_co2eq_per_kg_fpcm,
            area_intensity$intensity_per_productive_ha),
  Benchmark = c(1.2, 8000)  # Typical benchmark values
)

ggplot(intensity_data, aes(x = Metric)) +
  geom_col(aes(y = Value), fill = "steelblue", alpha = 0.7) +
  geom_point(aes(y = Benchmark), color = "red", size = 3) +
  geom_text(aes(y = Benchmark, label = "Benchmark"), 
            color = "red", vjust = -0.5) +
  labs(title = "Farm Intensity Metrics",
       y = "Value",
       x = "") +
  theme_minimal()

Figura generada por la viñeta; ver texto para detalles.

Understanding the Results

Interpreting Emission Factors

Enteric fermentation typically represents 40-60% of total farm emissions
Purchased inputs (especially protein feeds) can be 20-40% of emissions
Soil N₂O usually contributes 5-15% of total emissions
Energy use is generally the smallest component (2-8%)

Benchmarking Performance

The calculated intensities can be compared against regional or global benchmarks:

Excellent performance: < 1.0 kg CO₂eq/kg FPCM
Good performance: 1.0-1.3 kg CO₂eq/kg FPCM
Average performance: 1.3-2.0 kg CO₂eq/kg FPCM
Poor performance: > 2.0 kg CO₂eq/kg FPCM

Data Quality Considerations

Required vs Optional Data

Essential data: - Herd size and composition - Milk production - Farm area - Major input quantities

Optional but recommended: - Detailed feed composition - Animal weights and productivity - Energy breakdown by use - Soil and climate characteristics

Common Issues

Missing data: The package provides reasonable defaults, but farm-specific data improves accuracy
Unit consistency: Ensure all inputs use the correct units (kg, litres, hectares)
System boundaries: Be consistent about what’s included/excluded
Temporal boundaries: Use annual data for meaningful comparisons

Next Steps

This introduction covered the basics of using cowfootR for single farm assessments. For more advanced topics, see:

Single Farm Analysis: Detailed exploration of individual calculation functions
Batch Farm Assessment: Processing multiple farms simultaneously
Methodology Comparison: Understanding Tier 1 vs Tier 2 approaches
Regional Factors: Using location-specific emission factors

Key Takeaways

cowfootR follows internationally recognized LCA standards (IDF 2022, IPCC 2019)
The modular approach allows flexible assessment of different emission sources
Results should be interpreted in context of farm system and regional benchmarks
Data quality significantly affects accuracy - collect farm-specific data when possible
The package provides both absolute emissions and intensity metrics for comprehensive analysis

For questions, bug reports, or contributions, visit the cowfootR GitHub repository or contact the development team.

Introduction_to_Dairy_LCA_cowfootR

Introduction to Dairy Life Cycle Assessment

Overview

Theoretical Background

Life Cycle Assessment in Dairy Production

Key Emission Sources in Dairy Systems

System Boundaries

Functional Units and Intensity Metrics

Getting Started with cowfootR

Installation

Loading the Package

Basic Workflow

Example: Basic Farm Assessment

Step 1: Define System Boundaries

Step 2: Basic Farm Data

Step 3: Calculate Emissions by Source

Enteric Fermentation

Manure Management

Soil Emissions

Energy Use

Purchased Inputs

Step 4: Aggregate Total Emissions

Step 5: Calculate Intensity Metrics

Milk Intensity

Area Intensity

Visualizing Results

Emission Source Breakdown

Intensity Comparison

Understanding the Results

Interpreting Emission Factors

Benchmarking Performance

Data Quality Considerations

Required vs Optional Data

Common Issues

Next Steps

Key Takeaways