Partial replacement of soybean meal with soybean silage and responsible soybean meal in lactating cows diet: part 2, environmental impact of milk production

Soybean meal, the main protein source for livestock in Italy, is associated with high environmental impact terms of land use change. Thus alternative sources are advisable. The study aimed to evaluate through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach milk production systems characterised by different diets lactating cows including soybean. Four scenarios were identified: (1) conventional soybean meal (CON), (2) and silage (SBS), 3) responsible defined FEFAC guidelines (CON + RSM), (4) (SBS RSM). Inventory data derived from previous vivo trial on farmer interviews. Secondary obtained ECOINVENT® Agri-footprint databases. LCA was performed using SimaPro V 8.3. showed higher global warming potential (GWP), marine eutrophication human toxicity compared lucerne hay, most utilised self-produced feed, due contribution mechanical operations field. GWP (kg CO2eq/kg FPCM) decreased 1.38 CON scenario 1.17 SBS 1.13 RSM; best result combining meal: 1.01. Furthermore, RSM reduced agricultural occupation natural transformation. inclusion an interesting option reduce production, maximising yields DM CP per hectare representing source.HIGHLIGHTSThe ration dairy represents one causes sector feed (forage concentrate)Feeding as has since it linked deforestation South AmericaAlternative like produced sustainably could