Effects of the farm type on the environmental impact, animal welfare and plant biodiversity of dairy systems in the Eastern Alps

This study aimed to assess the effects of farm type on the environmental impact (EI), animal welfare (AW) and plant biodiversity (BIO) of dairy systems typical of the Eastern Alps. Data originated from 49 farms (30±20 dairy cows, 18.0±4.3 kg fat- and protein-corrected milk – FPCM/cow/d). Farms were clustered in 3 types on the base of farm size, structure and feeding management Traditional Farms (TF), Modern Farms with Low (MF-LSR) and High (MF-HSR) Stocking Rates. The EI was evaluated with a Life Cycle Assessment, considering animal and manure management, feed production and use of bedding materials and energy sources (system boundaries), 1 kg FPCM and 1 m2 of land area (functional unit) and global warming and eutrophication potentials (impact categories). The AW included animal-based measures recorded (longevity, milk cell count, dystocia, downer cows) and observed (body condition score, lameness, udder cleanliness). The BIO included 3 plots per farm (meadows and pastures), with plant species and family richness recorded along linear transects. Clusters were used as fixed effect in a GLM to analyze the effect on milk yield (MY) and EI, AW, and BIO. MFs had greater MY than TF. Farm type influenced EI per m2 (higher impact in MFs than TF) but not EI per milk unit. None of the AW variables were affected by farm type. About BIO, MF-HSR showed the lowest plant species and family richness and the TF the greatest. In conclusion, the multi-criteria assessment of the dairy system evidenced a complex effect (synergies and trade-offs) of the farm intensity on the different aspects of livestock global sustainability, thus highlighting that single assessments could have undesirable effects.