Effect of summer grazing on carbon footprint of milk in Italian Alps: a sensitivity approach

Considering different allocation methods, no significant differences were observed between the carbon footprint of the two systems. When LUC emissions were accounted for, CF increased especially in noSG farms due to the high amount of concentrate feed purchased. Traditional activity of summer grazing in high pastureland did not show any mitigation effect on the carbon footprint of milk, mainly as a consequence of low milk yield and low feed efficiency. The sensitivity analysis for different allocation methods and for different LUC emissions underlined the fact that one of LCA's limits is that a change of key assumptions can determine a change of the overall results. In particular including the emissions related to LUC for soybean production significantly affects the final outcome, the amount of feed purchased by the farm becoming one of the major driver of milk CF.