Mitigation of nitrous oxide emission from dairy farming systems

Dairy farming systems are a major source of nitrous oxide (N2O) emission. T he aim of our study was to explore the possibilities to reduce N2O emission s from intensively managed dairy farming systems using a system analysis an d literature data. Intensively managed grasslands are the dominant source o f N2O emission in dairy farming systems. There are several measures to miti gate N2O emission from these grasslands, categorized in three broad groups: improved N fertilizer management, improved grassland management and improv ed management of livestock production. A reduction of N2O emission from int ensively managed dairy farming systems up to 70% may be achieved through im plementation of a package of measures to improve nitrogen (N) management, i ncluding refined N fertilizer application, reduction of NH3 volatilization, restricted grazing, use of maize silage, and the use of clover as an alter native for N fertilizer.