Development of a software model to estimate daily greenhouse gas emissions of pasture-fed ruminant farming systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Sise ◽  
J. I. Kerslake ◽  
M. J. Oliver ◽  
S. Glennie ◽  
D. Butler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Commercial Application ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Software Model ◽  
On Farm

A software model has been developed to estimate greenhouse gas emissions of pasture-fed ruminant farming systems. The model estimates on-farm emissions associated with livestock (sheep and beef), fertiliser, petrol, diesel and electricity. Carbon sequestration from native and exotic forestry is then included to produce an on-farm carbon footprint, in the form of carbon dioxide equivalents. This paper describes the livestock model, which has been designed to record the movement of animals within individual farm units according to defined livestock classes. Allowances are made for unrecorded deaths, by estimating the number of animals missing within a defined time period and spreading the deaths according to expected seasonal variation in mortality. The enteric methane and nitrous oxide emissions are predicted using a combination of customised growth and lactation curves, and internationally recognised formulae to predict nutrient energy requirements. Customised growth and lactation curves allow estimation of liveweights and energy requirements associated with maintenance, growth, pregnancy and lactation on a daily basis. Daily estimation of emissions reduces errors introduced by monthly or seasonal averaging of livestock numbers and liveweights. The model has been developed into a commercial application (Alliance Group hoofprint) for use by New Zealand sheep and beef farmers, and could be adapted for other international livestock farming operations.

scholarly journals Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from New Zealand pasture-based livestock farm systems

2019 ◽  
pp. 101-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinead C. Leahy ◽  
Laura Kearney ◽  
Andy Reisinger ◽  
Harry Clark
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
On Farm

The reduction of the agricultural greenhouse gases, methane and nitrous oxide is likely to play an important role in New Zealand’s transition to a low-emissions economy. A limited range of options currently exists to reduce emissions from pasture-based livestock farming systems. However, several promising options are under development which have the potential to considerably reduce on-farm emissions, such as inhibitors and vaccines. On-farm forestry can be used to offset emissions through carbon sequestration in trees, but more scientifically robust and consistent evidence is needed if soil carbon sequestration is to be used to offset New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions.

scholarly journals Greenhouse gas emissions from the water–air interface of a grassland river: a case study of the Xilin River

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Hao ◽  
Yu Ruihong ◽  
Zhang Zhuangzhuang ◽  
Qi Zhen ◽  
Lu Xixi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Sand Land ◽  
Very High

AbstractGreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rivers and lakes have been shown to significantly contribute to global carbon and nitrogen cycling. In spatiotemporal-variable and human-impacted rivers in the grassland region, simultaneous carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions and their relationships under the different land use types are poorly documented. This research estimated greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, N2O) emissions in the Xilin River of Inner Mongolia of China using direct measurements from 18 field campaigns under seven land use type (such as swamp, sand land, grassland, pond, reservoir, lake, waste water) conducted in 2018. The results showed that CO2 emissions were higher in June and August, mainly affected by pH and DO. Emissions of CH4 and N2O were higher in October, which were influenced by TN and TP. According to global warming potential, CO2 emissions accounted for 63.35% of the three GHG emissions, and CH4 and N2O emissions accounted for 35.98% and 0.66% in the Xilin river, respectively. Under the influence of different degrees of human-impact, the amount of CO2 emissions in the sand land type was very high, however, CH4 emissions and N2O emissions were very high in the artificial pond and the wastewater, respectively. For natural river, the greenhouse gas emissions from the reservoir and sand land were both low. The Xilin river was observed to be a source of carbon dioxide and methane, and the lake was a sink for nitrous oxide.

Reducing methane on-farm by feeding diets high in fat may not always reduce life cycle greenhouse gas emissions

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Richard O. Williams ◽  
Peter D. Fisher ◽  
Tony Berrisford ◽  
Peter J. Moate ◽  
Keith Reynard
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Feeding Diets ◽  
On Farm

Analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from 10 biogas plants within the agricultural sector

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 1370-1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Liebetrau ◽  
T. Reinelt ◽  
J. Clemens ◽  
C. Hafermann ◽  
J. Friehe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Life Cycle Assessments ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Generation Unit

With the increasing number of biogas plants in Germany the necessity for an exact determination of the actual effect on the greenhouse gas emissions related to the energy production gains importance. Hitherto the life cycle assessments have been based on estimations of emissions of biogas plants. The lack of actual emission evaluations has been addressed within a project from which the selected results are presented here. The data presented here have been obtained during a survey in which 10 biogas plants were analysed within two measurement periods each. As the major methane emission sources the open storage of digestates ranging from 0.22 to 11.2% of the methane utilized and the exhaust of the co-generation units ranging from 0.40 to 3.28% have been identified. Relevant ammonia emissions have been detected from the open digestate storage. The main source of nitrous oxide emissions was the co-generation unit. Regarding the potential of measures to reduce emissions it is highly recommended to focus on the digestate storage and the exhaust of the co-generation.

scholarly journals The use of plant bioactive compounds to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farmed ruminants

2021 ◽  
pp. 231-260
Author(s):  
Cécile Martin ◽  
◽  
Vincent Niderkorn ◽  
Gaëlle Maxin ◽  
Jessie Guyader ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Secondary Compounds ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Plant Lipids ◽  
Ruminant Diets

This chapter focuses on the opportunity to use plant bioactive compounds in ruminant diets for their potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, particularly enteric methane. Nitrous oxide emissions related to urinary nitrogen waste are addressed when information is available. The main families considered are plant lipids and plant secondary compounds (tannins, saponins, halogenated compounds and essential oils). The effects of these compounds in vivo, their mechanisms of action, and their potential adoption on farms are discussed, and future trends in this research area are highlighted.

The use of feed supplements to reduce livestock greenhouse gas emissions: direct-fed microbials

2021 ◽  
pp. 261-286
Author(s):  
Natasha Doyle ◽  
◽  
Philiswa Mbandlwa ◽  
Sinead Leahy ◽  
Graeme Attwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Feed Supplements ◽  
Beneficial Response ◽  
On Farm

This chapter aims to outline the strategy of using feed supplements for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in ruminants, including methane (CH4), carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, given that feed intake is an important variable in predicting these emissions. Focus will be given to direct-fed microbials, a term reserved for live microbes which can be supplemented to feed to elicit a beneficial response. The viability of such methods will also be analysed for their use in large scale on-farm operations.

scholarly journals Two Novel Energy Crops: Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L.—State of Knowledge

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 928
Author(s):  
Laura Cumplido-Marin ◽  
Anil R. Graves ◽  
Paul J. Burgess ◽  
Christopher Morhart ◽  
Pierluigi Paris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Bioenergy Crops ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gas Emissions

Current global temperature increases resulting from human activity threaten many ecosystems and societies, and have led to international and national policy commitments that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bioenergy crops provide one means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and two novel crops that could be used for this purpose are Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L. This research examined the existing scientific literature available on both crops through a systematic review. The data were collated according to the agronomy, uses, and environmental benefits of each crop. Possible challenges were associated with high initial planting costs, low yields in low rainfall areas, and for Sida hermaphrodita, vulnerability to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. However, under appropriate environmental conditions, both crops were found to provide large yields over sustained periods of time with relatively low levels of management and could be used to produce large energy surpluses, either through direct combustion or biogas production. Other potential uses included fodder, fibre, and pharmaceutical uses. Environmental benefits included the potential for phytoremediation, and improvements to soil health, biodiversity, and pollination. The review also demonstrated that environmental benefits, such as pollination, soil health, and water quality benefits could be obtained from the use of Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum relative to existing bioenergy crops such as maize, whilst at the same time reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Future research should examine the long-term implications of using Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum as well as improve knowledge on how to integrate them successfully within existing farming systems and supply chains.

scholarly journals Greenhouse gas inventory of agriculture in the Czech Republic

2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 311-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Exnerová ◽  
E. Cienciala
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
The Czech Republic

As a part of its obligations under the Climate Convention, the Czech Republic must annually estimate and report its anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. This also applies for the sector of agriculture, which is one of the greatest producers of methane and nitrous oxide emissions. This paper presents the approaches applied to estimate emissions in agricultural sector during the period 1990–2006. It describes the origin and sources of emissions, applied methodology, parameters and emission estimates for the sector of agriculture in the country. The total greenhouse gas emissions reached 7644 Gg CO<sub>2</sub> eq. in 2006. About 59% (4479 Gg CO<sub>2</sub> eq.) of these emissions has originated from agricultural soils. This quantity ranks agriculture as the third largest sector in the Czech Republic representing 5.3% of the total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The emissions under the Czech conditions consist mainly of emissions from enteric fermentation, manure management and agricultural soils. During the period 1990–2006, GHG emissions from agriculture decreased by 50%, which was linked to reduced cattle population and amount of applied fertilizers. The study concludes that the GHG emissions in the sector of agriculture remain significant and their proper assessment is required for sound climate change adaptation and mitigation policies.

GREENHOUSE GAS OFFSETS: ANALYSIS OF BASELINE RULES AND ADDITIONALITY FOR REDUCED NITROGEN APPLICATION ON WHEAT

2014 ◽  
Vol 05 (02) ◽  
pp. 1450002 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN HOROWITZ
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Nitrogen Emissions ◽  
Reduced Nitrogen ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Business As Usual

Agriculture is a source of greenhouse gas emissions that could be included as offsets in a cap-and-trade system. This paper describes offset rules that could be applied to reduced nitrogen fertilizer application on wheat, a source of nitrous oxide emissions. Unlike other papers that have examined offset rules, we do not assume that farmers' business-as-usual nitrogen emissions can be perfectly predicted. We construct a structural model of wheat production and use this, along with Agricultural Resource Management Survey data, to model or estimate participation in the offset market, offset supply conditional on participation, and business-as-usual emissions. We find that roughly two-thirds of the supplied offsets would be non-additional at an allowance price of $15/tonne CO 2-e. Under assumptions about the social damages from greenhouse gas emissions, we find that allowing nitrogen offsets would marginally pass a standard benefit-cost test.

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