Methods and systems for estimating carbon footprint and feed efficiency for milk- producing animals and for adjusting feed compositions accordingly

摘要

Systems and methods for estimating milk producing animal feed conversion efficiency and carbon footprint, such as to allow adjustments to be made in the animals feed to improve milk production, reduce waste, and/or reduce the carbon footprint. In embodiments of the present application, a system is provided that integrates a digestion model of an animal feed with milk production efficiency and carbon footprint. Such systems and methods are useful to analyze and compare different animal feed compositions that differ from one another in one or more components and/or to analyze the effect of the addition of a feed supplement on milk production efficiency and/or carbon footprint. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein provide feed parameter-carbon footprint compromise. A feed parameter-carbon footprint compromise is useful to adjust animal feed composition by balancing milk production efficiency with effects on carbon footprint. Different feed supplements or amounts of feed supplements, and/or different feed compositions are selected based on the desired feed parameter-carbon footprint compromise.