Estimation of enteric methane emissions and mitigation opportunities for Ethiopian milk production systems and breeds

The paper reports research to quantify enteric methane (CH4) emissions and mitigation opportunities from milk production systems (MPSs) and cattle breeds. Data were collected from a total of 24 dairy producers. A questionnaire survey was used to collect primary inputs and outputs. CH4 emissions were estimated using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 approach. The CH4 estimates per mature crossbred cow were significantly greater for the large-scale MPS (72.76) (p < 0.05) than for the (peri-)urban (64.04) and rural MPSs (56.62 kg CH4 head−1·yr−1). No significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the rural and (peri-) urban MPSs. The large-scale MPS had lower CH4 emissions per kg of milk than the other two MPSs. This study uses country-specific data and indicates that cattle breed management was more important than MPSs for reducing CH4 emissions.