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Comparative Energy Flow Analysis on Dairy Farms in North Carolina and Malawi
Author(s) -
Chizonda Shalimbala,
Dos Passos Adsos,
Sun Yawang,
Allen Jonathan
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.730.8
Subject(s) - nutrient , dairy cattle , environmental science , agricultural science , population , dairy farming , sustainability , herd , milk production , zoology , biology , medicine , environmental health , ecology
Milk is a major nutrient source in many Western diets, but in developing countries like Malawi, milk intake is low; increasing its availability from local sources could significantly improve nutrient intake in the population. The objective of this study was to compare energetic inputs, outputs, and efficiencies of dairy farms in Malawi (Southeast Africa) and North Carolina to assess sustainable milk production. Feed consumption and milk production data were collected from Katete Dairy herd in Lilongwe, Malawi, consisting of 408 cattle with 108 lactating cows, and the NCSU Dairy Research and Teaching Farm, housing 245 Holstein and 55 Jersey cows and 170 lactating cows. Both are teaching farms that employ extensive record keeping. Milk production averaged 34 and 19.5 kg/cow/day at NCSU and Katete, respectively. Feed energy intake was 85.8 mcal/cow/d at NCSU and 135 mcal/cow/d at Katete. Thus, return of feed energy as milk energy was 24.7% efficient at NCSU and 11.3% efficient in the lower producing cows at Katete. Manure is recycled for crop production at Katete, and is processed with a solids separation and lagoon system at NCSU. Additional factors that impact the overall farm efficiencies include inputs of petroleum fuels and electricity, and the number of calves, heifers and dry cows fed. The project identifies factors in dairy production that should be considered to improve efficiency, sustainability and milk supply. A greater supply of locally produced milk in Malawi could improve essential nutrient intakes.