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Housing strategies to reduce the carbon footprint and improve animal welfare in dairy farming

Code: 9781835456736
Publication date: 27-03-2026
Extent: 18 pages

Contributions by: Pol Llonch, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain; and Fernando Estellés, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain

Chapter synopsis:

This chapter focuses on the importance of housing strategies in dairy farming, and its impact on animal welfare and the carbon footprint. It begins by exploring the different types of dairy production systems, and then moves on to the effects of housing on productivity and emission intensity. The chapter then discusses trade-offs between sustaibability, welfare and production efficiency. Next, there is an examination of housing strategies to reduce emissions and waste, which includes pasture access management, increased stocking density, improved animal surveillance, improved diet quality, and manure management.



DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0157.16
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Table of contents
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Types of dairy production system
  • 3 Effect of housing on productivity and emission intensity
  • 4 Trade-offs between sustainability, welfare, and production efficiency
  • 5 Housing strategies to reduce emissions and waste: managing access to pasture
  • 6 Housing strategies to reduce emissions and waste: increased stocking density
  • 7 Housing strategies to reduce emissions and waste: improved animal surveillance
  • 8 Housing strategies to reduce emissions and waste: improving diet quality
  • 9 Housing strategies to reduce emissions and waste: manure management
  • 10 Conclusion
  • 11 Where to look for further information
  • 12 References

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