Factors affecting water use and water footprint of dairy farms

Abstract

Water footprint of animal sector is a comprehensive indicator assessing blue, green and grey waters on farm level. More and more qualitative and quantitative research are available regarding water use of dairy farms. Water footprints can differ widely based on economic and environmental aspects of a given country, which is understandable. However other factors such as chosen breed, herd size, keeping and feeding technology and milking technology are related to managerial decisions. It is really interesting to see how these factors can influence water use separately and on integrated way and have a consequent impact on the water footprint of a dairy farm. If these factors are clarified within a farm, it will be easier to investigate blue, green and grey waters of dairy farms and assess ratio of each water category. Thus water footprints can be calculated in a more appropriate way.