A carbon footprint assessment for pasture-based dairy farming systems in South Africa
Environmental impact evaluation of intensive dairy farming systems has been of growing interest recently as agriculture has several negative influences on the surrounding environment, including eutrophication, declines in biodiversity, and pollution of nearby waterbodies.
Assessment of the potential financial benefits and risks of adopting improved effluent management
The management of livestock manure is an important consideration for sustainable agriculture on dairy farms. Manure is both a waste product with the potential to pollute, and a potential fertiliser. Whether it trends more towards the one or the other depends largely on how it is managed.
Measuring for irrigation efficiency: A case study of water use on pasture-based dairy farms
Improving the efficiency of irrigation water use on farms can reduce input costs, improve the sustained delivery of available water to pastures and enhance the provision of water-related ecosystem services.
This study presents a novel way to measure the contribution of private extension to farm productivity for club data. Club data refers to any convenience sample obtained from a study group, consulting firm, cooperative or producer organisation.
Case study: Making a business case for sustainable dairy production
The purpose of this business case is to investigate the association between the economic and environmental facets of sustainability related to milk production on dairy farms in South Africa.
Publication to assist farmers with wetland and river management
The aim of the publication is to provide best management practices that will assist farmers to manage their rivers and wetlands in a manner that promotes biodiversity conservation.
Perceptions and adoption of sustainable dairy practices in the Eastern Cape
To encourage the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices amongst farmers one needs to understand what drives their decision-making processes.
Are private and social goals aligned in pasture-based dairy production?
To become more sustainable, dairy farms should aim to maximise productivity at a minimum cost to the environment. Standard environmental impact measures were combined with non-parametric total factor productivity analysis to investigate if this is possible in a pasture-based production system.
Opportunities to improve sustainability on commercial pasture-based dairy farms by assessing environmental impact
For pasture-based dairy farming to become more sustainable, the negative environmental impacts associated with milk production must be minimized.