Using models adapted for Norwegian dairy farms, environmental and economic conditions on six dairy farms are analysed. These farms were chosen because they are managed well and the farmers are concerned about the environment. Half of these farms are run organically. We want to identify why these farms are doing well by calculating the utilization of nutrient inputs, energy use and GHG emissions and linking these parameters to farm management. We will also discuss the farms’ resilience to the impacts of climate change. Where we can see possibilities for improvements, we will suggest relevant measures.

Secondary objectives:

• Presentation of environmental effects and emission of greenhouse gases in dairy production, and of the economical challenges faced by six environmentally interested farmers
• Suggestion of measures that can improve the environmental effects of dairy production by improving the utilization of nutrient inputs, and reducing farm level energy consumption and GHG emissions.
• Economic calculations of the effects of different agronomic scenarios
• Discussion of possible policy instruments needed to carry out the desired measures
• Videos, articles and talks that present the farmers’ situation
• Improved models for assessing farm-level environmental sustainability under Norwegian conditions

The project is owned by NIBIO