Influence of a changed milk fat/milk protein ratio by breeding measures on the greenhouse gas emissions in the milk production

The reduction of greenhouse gases is an issue of worldwide importance. Further genetic increasing of milk protein concentration at a simultaneous lowering of milk fat concentration on the basis of a high production level (e.g. 9000 kg of milk per cow and year) leads to a reduction of energy requirement (for the milk fat production) and – at the same time – to an increase of food protein requirement for milk protein production. This influences the excretions (e.g. N- excretion, CH4-emission) of the individual animal only to a small degree (at constantly high production level). Related to the amount of milk protein produced, however, the excretion decreases and the positive effect on the environment becomes more evident. Under consideration of the calculated methane emission and N-excretion, the increase of animal performance (specifically of increased milk protein concentration) and a possible reduction of the number of ruminants should currently be the most effective measure for obtaining a decrease of methane emissions at short notice.

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