Life cycle assessment of the production of raw milk

Orphant, Simon (2004) Life cycle assessment of the production of raw milk. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

The environmental impacts and the sustainable development of agricultural activities have been identified as a significant national issue. This has led to many techniques in quantifying the impact of agricultural activities on the surrounding environment. One such technique used is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This project presents an initial
assessment of the life cycle environmental impacts of a simple dairy farm in Southeast Queensland, Australia, using the most appropriate software (SimaPro5.1).
Recently, the perception of environmental management has shifted away from the prescriptive approach of fixing a problem after it has occurred. This change in attitude
has led to the development of the preventative approach. This involves stoping the system before it causes impact. LCA has been created for the specific application of
testing and comparing systems to find the best outcome for the environment. The methodology involves four steps: Defining the Goal and Scope of the Assessment, Life Cycle Inventory Analysis, Life Cycle Impact Assessment and Life Cycle Interpretation.
PRe Consultants based in the Netherlands produced the Life Cycle Assessment software SimaPro5.1. The assessment program was originally used for assessing and comparing
industrial systems. In the late 90's SimaPro was adapted for the use on agricultural systems. This has led to much research into the agricultural industries in Australia.
Most research has found the need for updated Australian databases in the program so that results are quantified with respect to Australia.
The scope of this project was only looking at the effects of the agricultural system. Thus, the model was setup to show the effects of producing one litre of milk at the farm
gate. Results have indicated that the major impacts to the environment occur during the pasture production phase. The impact during the pasture production phase is largely due to the usage of fertilizers and the irrigation pump being driven by electricity. Other substantial impacts in the system were the environmental impact to climate change
produced by methane outputs from the cow.

Statistics for this ePrint Item

Item Type:	USQ Project
Refereed:	No
Item Status:	Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Agricultural, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Date Deposited:	11 Oct 2007 00:12
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2013 22:30
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); SimaPro5.1; environmental impact management; dairy farms; sustainable development; agriculture; Southeast Queensland; methane; fertilisers
Fields of Research (2008):	07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences > 0702 Animal Production > 070299 Animal Production not elsewhere classified 05 Environmental Sciences > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050204 Environmental Impact Assessment 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences > 0701 Agriculture, Land and Farm Management > 070108 Sustainable Agricultural Development
Fields of Research (2020):	30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3003 Animal production > 300399 Animal production not elsewhere classified 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring 30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3002 Agriculture, land and farm management > 300210 Sustainable agricultural development
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008):	B Economic Development > 83 Animal Production and Animal Primary Products > 8303 Livestock Raising > 830302 Dairy Cattle
URI:	https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/22

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