Assessment of direct energy utilization and associated greenhouse gas emissions in cow milk production at the Agricultural Research and Application Farm of Çukurova University Faculty of Agriculture

In this study, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to direct energy (electricity+diesel) consumption were determined at the dairy farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Çukurova University. Energy consumption and GHG emissions were evaluated taking into account the electricity and diesel fuel consumption values in January and July, which characterize winter and summer conditions. In January, a total of 93 072 MJ of energy was consumed, including 39 600 MJ of electricity and 53 472 MJ of diesel. In July, a total of 154 138.8 MJ of energy was consumed, including 100 666.8 MJ of electricity and 53 472 MJ of diesel. Due to the cooling requirements of the barns during summer conditions, more than twice as much electricity was consumed compared to winter conditions (January). For 1 liter of milk production, 0.53 MJ and 1.05 MJ of energy are consumed in January and July, respectively. The carbon footprint of the dairy farming operation related to direct energy consumption was determined to be 0.0506 kgCO2-eq/kg and 0.1115 kgCO2-eq/kg in January and July, respectively.