Quantification of on-farm groundwater use under different dairy production systems in Pakistan

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the role of production systems and management strategies on groundwater use at dairy farms in Punjab, Pakistan. In a prospective cohort observational study, 14 dairy farms were enrolled from the districts Okara and Kasur, Punjab. The farms were divided into two production systems: 1) peri urban dairy farms, PU (n = 7; herd size 35 ± 10); and 2) rural market oriented dairy farms, RM (n = 6; herd size 32 ± 6; Mean ± SD). One commercial dairy farm with Holstein cows (herd size = 60) was enrolled as a case study. Water flow meters were installed at the groundwater sources and the readings were taken fortnightly for 12 months. Results showed that the amount of daily on-farm groundwater use was higher in the PU dairy farm (117 ± 7 L/buffalo; Means ± SE) compared to the RM farm (80 ± 8). The farms having dirt floor used less water (78 ± 7) than the farms with brick floor (119 ± 9 L/buffalo). Furthermore, the farm having access to surface water used significantly less water (77 ± 10) than the farms having no such facility (120 ± 5 L/buffalo). Groundwater use was highest in July (145 ± 9) and lowest in February (58 ± 15 L/buffalo). The descriptive data from a commercial dairy farm revealed that the average water use during summer months was 844 ± 81 L/cow (Mean ± SD). The current findings conclude that production system, management practices and season greatly influenced on-farm groundwater use at dairy farms.