The discussion about the contribution of grassland-based food production and the realistic reduction potentials is relatively undifferentiated. From both a technical and practical standpoint, farmers themselves often lack clarity about which operational activities, processes, and change options can have a positive or negative impact on the climate.

The project aims to develop options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in milk production on organic dairy farms in Austria and to identify potential emission reductions. The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein will collaborate with farms in the transition region between the Eastern Alps and the Alpine foothills, supporting the data collection and modeling of greenhouse gas emissions. To illustrate climate protection options for different farm conditions, the analysis will be based on several statistically defined model farms that reflect varying site conditions and production intensities.

The central outcome is to record and evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions of organic milk production from cradle to farm gate and relevant mitigation options in a multi-year comparison with a modeled base year (2018). A further expected outcome is that statements can be made regarding the potential for greenhouse gas savings on organic dairy farms under Alpine production conditions. With regard to the economic pillar of sustainability, the economic impacts of greenhouse gas mitigation options will also be considered.