Schlussfolgerungen und Ausblick

Between 2013 and 2014, the work on determining the global warming potential of the agricultural production in a network of 40 organic and 40 conventional German farms, which was begun in 2009, was extended: A total of 62 dairy and arable farms were analysed with a full farm analysis, while 44 dairy farms were analysed in a more detailed approach with respect to the dairying only. The research on potential climate effects was expanded on an initial approach determining interactions and potential environmental trade-offs in dairy production when dairy cow health and welfare are improved. Additionally, indicators of an efficient resource use on the farms were tested to be used as a basis for future analyses and advisory concepts. In the current phase of research in the farm network, these initial approaches are applied to the wider farm network. Economic analyses and a participatory approach to involve the farmers in modelling a realistic optimization of sustainability of their farms will be included.