Article: Operationalising eco-efficiency in agriculture: the example of specialised dairy farms in Flanders Journal: Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal (PIE) 2007 Vol.4 No.1/2 pp.41 - 53 Abstract: Eco-efficiencies of a representative set of Flemish dairy farms were determined for the years 1989–1990 and 2000–2001. Eco-efficiency was measured as a combination of nitrogen (N) use efficiency and energy use efficiency, where N use efficiency (l milk kg-1 N surplus) is the ratio between the amount of produced milk and the farm-gate N surplus (= N input − N output). Energy use efficiency (l milk 100 MJ-1) is the ratio between the amount of produced milk and the total (direct + indirect) energy input. Between 1989–1990 and 2000–2001, average N use efficiency increased from 27 to 40 l milk kg-1 N surplus and average energy use efficiency increased from 22 to 27 l milk 100 MJ-1, indicating an overall increase of eco-efficiency of the Flemish dairy farms during those periods. The farms with the highest eco-efficiencies were characterised by a higher milk production, a lower N surplus, a lower energy input and a higher gross value-added. The latter shows that on the studied farms, eco-efficiency went hand in hand with better economic results. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Operationalising eco-efficiency in agriculture: the example of specialised dairy farms in Flanders

Authors: Marijke Meul, Frank Nevens, Ignace Verbruggen, Dirk Reheul, Georges Hofman

Addresses: Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Social Sciences Unit, Burg. van Gansberghelaan, 109 Box 2, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. ' Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Social Sciences Unit, Burg. van Gansberghelaan, 109 Box 2, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. ' Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Social Sciences Unit, Burg. van Gansberghelaan, 109 Box 2, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. ' Department of Plant Production, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. ' Department of Soil Management and Soil Care, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium

Abstract: Eco-efficiencies of a representative set of Flemish dairy farms were determined for the years 1989–1990 and 2000–2001. Eco-efficiency was measured as a combination of nitrogen (N) use efficiency and energy use efficiency, where N use efficiency (l milk kg^-1 N surplus) is the ratio between the amount of produced milk and the farm-gate N surplus (= N input − N output). Energy use efficiency (l milk 100 MJ^-1) is the ratio between the amount of produced milk and the total (direct + indirect) energy input. Between 1989–1990 and 2000–2001, average N use efficiency increased from 27 to 40 l milk kg^-1 N surplus and average energy use efficiency increased from 22 to 27 l milk 100 MJ^-1, indicating an overall increase of eco-efficiency of the Flemish dairy farms during those periods. The farms with the highest eco-efficiencies were characterised by a higher milk production, a lower N surplus, a lower energy input and a higher gross value-added. The latter shows that on the studied farms, eco-efficiency went hand in hand with better economic results.

Keywords: dairy farming; eco-efficiency; energy efficiency; Flanders; nitrogen use efficiency; Belgium; industrial ecology; agriculture; milk production.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2007.013856

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2007 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.41 - 53

Published online: 31 May 2007 *

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Title: Operationalising eco-efficiency in agriculture: the example of specialised dairy farms in Flanders

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