Abstract
In Kuwait, dairy farming faces challenges due to its significant water demands. The current study assessed seasonal patterns of water use to estimate the blue water footprint (WF) and grey WF per kg of fat protein corrected milk (FPCM) for confined dairy farming systems in Kuwait. Blue and grey WFs were evaluated using data from three operational farms. The average blue WF (L·kg-1 FPCM) was estimated to be 54.5 ± 4.0 L·kg-1 in summer and 19.2 ± 0.8 L·kg-1 in winter. The average grey WF (generated from milk house wastewater) was assessed on bimonthly basis and determined based on its phosphate (PO4) concentration (82.2 ± 14.3 mg·L-1) which is the most limiting factor to be 23.0 ± 9.0 L·kg-1 FPCM d-1. The outcomes indicate that enhancing the performance of dairy cows and adopting alternative water management strategies can play a role in minimizing the impacts of confined dairy farming systems in Kuwait on water quality and quantity.
Highlights
Water is the most important natural resource for life and is crucial for the maintenance of animal performance and crop production
Based on CROPWAT, the regional ETc and green water footprint (WF) of the main ingredients used in livestock feed rations in Kuwait and ON-Canada are shown in Table 5.1 and 5.2, respectively
Using the CROPWAT model to assess the green WF of the main components of livestock feed rations in different geographical areas illustrates the high pressure of dairy sector on water resources
Summary
Background Water is the most important natural resource for life and is crucial for the maintenance of animal performance and crop production. The Water Footprint Network (WFN) method (Hoekstra et al, 2011) was used with site-specific data to explore the relation between long-term climatic variability, dairy farming systems, crop management practices and the animals’ feed components on the rate of water depletion and degradation. The main goal of this study is to assess the different components of WF (blue, green and grey) that are associated with milk and animals’ feed production in two regions with varied weather conditions (Kuwait and ON, Canada) by the use of site-specific data and process-based modelling tools to assess the impact of weather conditions and agricultural management strategies over time and space. The WF is the total volume of water required for the production of final products (Hoekstra and Chapagain, 2008), and it reflects the direct water used for drinking and cleaning of dairy livestock and the indirect water embedded in animals’ feed. In the current study the focus is on the blue WF that support the direct on farm water requirements
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