A case study of the potential environmental impacts of different dairy production systems in Georgia

► Environmental impacts of two dairy production systems were evaluated. ► Erosion and phosphorus runoff were less for the pasture-based dairy. ► Ammonia emissions were greater from the confinement dairy. ► The carbon footprint excluding sequestration was slightly less for the confinement dairy. ► Management changes were demonstrated to reduce the footprints of both dairies.