GHG Emissions from Dairy Small Ruminants in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), Using the ManleCO(2) Simulation Model

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Greenhouse gas emissions from ruminants contribute to global warming. “ManleCO(2)” is an empirical model that simulates different management aspects in dairy sheep and goat farming, linking milk production to farming and environmental health. The carbon footprint of 1 L of fat- and protein-corrected milk varied from 2.01 to 5.62 kg CO(2)e. Simulation scenarios showed a higher reduction in GHG emissions associated with animal feeding strategies and a lower reduction associated with farming management strategies. ManleCO(2) may provide useful information for planning and developing different strategies that might support the reduction of GHG emissions at the dairy sheep and goat farm level. ABSTRACT: The first goal of this work was the description of a model addressed to quantify the carbon footprint in Spanish autochthonous dairy sheep farms (Manchega group), foreign dairy sheep farms (foreigners group: Lacaune and Assaf breeds), and Spanish autochthonous dairy goat farms (Florida group). The second objective was to analyze the GHG emission mitigation potential of 17 different livestock farming practices that were implemented by 36 different livestock farms, in terms of CO(2)e per hectare (ha), CO(2)e per livestock unit (LU), and CO(2)e per liter of fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM). The study showed the following results: 1.655 kg CO(2)e per ha, 6.397 kg CO(2)e per LU, and 3.78 kg CO(2)e per liter of FPCM in the Manchega group; 12.634 kg CO(2)e per ha, 7.810 CO(2)e kg per LU, and 2.77 kg CO(2)e per liter of FPCM in the Foreigners group and 1.198 kg CO(2)e per ha, 6.507 kg CO(2)e per LU, and 3.06 kg CO(2)e per liter of FPCM in Florida group. In summary, purchasing off-farm animal feed would increase emissions by up to 3.86%. Conversely, forage management, livestock inventory, electrical supply, and animal genetic improvement would reduce emissions by up to 6.29%, 4.3%, 3.52%, and 0.8%, respectively; finally, an average rise of 2 °C in room temperature would increase emissions by up to 0.62%.