Milcherzeugung und Treibhausgas-Emissionen

The reduction of greenhouse gases is an issue of worldwide importance. Using genetic engineering to further increase the protein content of milk while at the same time reducing fat content, and maintaining a high level of production (e.g. 9000 kg of milk/cow/year), leads to a reduction in the amount of energy expended (for the production of milk fat) and - at the same time - to an increase in the amount of feed protein required for the production of milk protein. This has only a relatively small influence on the excretions (e.g. N excretion, CH 4 emission) of the individual animal (at a constantly high production level). Related to the amount of milk protein produced, the excretions are, however, lower making the positive effect on the environment more evident. Taking the calculated methane emission and N excretion into account, the increase in the animal performance (with particular attention being paid to ensuring an increased milk-protein content) and a possible reduction in the number of ruminants would currently be the most effective measure for obtaining a decrease in methane emissions in the short term. The influence of the cows' utilization time on the CH4 issues has also been calculated. A longer utilization time reduced the CH4 emissions per kg of produced milk