Optimal Housing and Manure Management Strategies to Favor Productive and Environment-Friendly Dairy Farms in Québec, Canada: Part I. Representative Farm Simulations

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 959-972
Author(s):  
Édith Charbonneau ◽  
Simon Binggeli ◽  
Jean-Michel Dion ◽  
Doris Pellerin ◽  
Martin H. Chantigny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Liquid Manure ◽  
Farm Model

Abstract. Tie-stall housing (93%) and solid manure management (44%) are used on many dairy farms in the province of Québec, Canada. However, this could change in the near future because the rise in average herd size and the popularity of milking robots are such that the industry expects an increase in free-stall dairies managing manure with liquid systems. This shift could affect the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) footprints of Québec’s dairy production. In this context, whole-farm modeling (N-CyCLES), considering all the production cycle, provides a tool for evaluating the economics and environmental impacts of standard housing and manure management systems (Part I) in combination with different mitigation approaches (Part II). Two representative dairy farms in southwestern Québec (SWQ; 45.3° N, 73.2° W) and eastern Québec (EQ; 48.45° N, 68.1° W) were simulated considering four scenarios involving combinations of tie-stall or free-stall housing and solid or liquid manure management. Maximum farm net income (FNI) was $0.33 and $0.18 kg-1 of fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) for the SWQ and EQ farms, respectively, with N and P footprints of 12.22 to 16.99 g N kg-1 and 0.52 to 0.79 g P kg-1 of FPCM in SWQ, and 11.48 to 15.39 g N kg-1 and 1.41 to 1.88 g P kg-1 of FPCM in EQ. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reached 1.78 to 1.87 kg CO2e kg-1 and 1.67 to 1.71 kg CO2e kg-1 of FPCM in SWQ and EQ, respectively. The SWQ farm was associated with greater production of cash crops but also greater imports of fertilizers and purchased feeds, which negatively affected the N footprint and GHG emissions. Housing and manure management types did not influence FNI. Free-stall dairies were associated with greater N surpluses. Nevertheless, they emitted slightly less GHG than tie-stall dairies. Dairy farms under liquid manure management imported less fertilizers and produced less GHG despite greater CH4 emissions. As a result, the current transition toward free-stall barns and liquid manure systems in Québec seems advantageous from an environmental standpoint without compromising economic profitability. Keywords: Climate change, Dairy cow, Farm net income, Free stall, Greenhouse gas emission, Manure handling, Mitigation, Nutrient footprint, Tie stall, Whole-farm model.

Optimal Housing and Manure Management Strategies to Favor Productive and Environment-Friendly Dairy Farms in Québec, Canada: Part II. Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Methods

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 973-984
Author(s):  
Sébastien Fournel ◽  
Édith Charbonneau ◽  
Simon Binggeli ◽  
Jean-Michel Dion ◽  
Doris Pellerin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Liquid Separation ◽  
Manure Storage ◽  
Solid Liquid ◽  
Solid Liquid Separation

Abstract. Several strategies are available for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with dairy manure management in barns, storage units, and fields. For instance, incorporation of manure into the soil, solid-liquid separation, composting, enclosed manure storage, and anaerobic digestion have been identified as good options. However, these strategies are not widely adopted in Canada because clear information on their effectiveness to abate the whole-farm GHG footprint is lacking. Better information on the most cost-effective options for reducing on-farm GHG emissions would assist decision making for dairy producers and foster adoption of the most promising approaches on Canadian dairies. In this context, whole-farm modeling provides a tool for evaluating different GHG abatement strategies. An Excel-based linear optimization model (N-CyCLES) was used to assess the economics and the nutrient and GHG footprints of two representative dairy farms in Québec, Canada. The farms were located in regions with contrasting climates (southwestern and eastern Québec). The model was developed to optimize feeding, cropping, and manure handling as a single unit of management, considering the aforementioned mitigation options. Greenhouse gas emissions from the different simulated milk production systems reached 1.27 to 1.85 kg CO2e kg-1 of corrected milk, allowing GHG reductions of up to 25% compared to the base system described in Part I. Solid-liquid separation had the greatest GHG mitigation potential, followed by the digester-like strategy involving a tight cover for gas burning. However, both options implied a decrease in farm net income. Manure incorporation into the soil and composting were associated with high investment relative to their GHG abatement potential. The most cost-effective option was using a loose cover on the manure storage unit. This approach lessened the manure volume and ammonia-N volatilization, thereby reducing fertilizer and manure spreading costs, increasing crop sales and profit, and enhancing the whole-farm N and GHG footprints. Consequently, covering the manure tanks appears to be an economically viable practice for Québec dairy farms. Keywords: Anaerobic digestion, Composting, Dairy cow, Farm net income, Greenhouse gas emission, Incorporation, Nutrient footprint, Solid-liquid separation, Storage cover, Whole-farm model.

scholarly journals Development of GHG Emission Factors for the Life Cycle of the Animal Manure Treatment Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 637-644
Author(s):  
Yoosung Park ◽  
Sung-Mo Yeon ◽  
Kyu-Hyun Park
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Management System ◽  
Emission Factor ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Pig Manure ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Gas Emission

Objectives:A whole process greenhouse gas emission factor was developed considering the direct greenhouse gas emission from the decomposition of livestock manure provided by the IPCC guidelines and the energy consumption of manure management systems.Methods:Greenhouse gas generated by animal manure management is divided into direct greenhouse gas emission by decomposition of manure and greenhouse gas effect in the entire process due to energy use by operating manure management systems. By obtaining and summing them, the whole process greenhouse gas emission factor for the livestock manure treatment system was calculated.Results and Discussion:Among the pig manure management systems, the greenhouse gas emission factors for composting, purification and liquefaction were calculated as 128 kgCO2-eq./ton, 123 kgCO2-eq./ton, 119 kgCO2-eq./ton, respectively. It was analyzed that 20.7% to 24.1% of greenhouse gas emissions generated in the process of managing manure were due to electricity use. As a result of analyzing the change in the emission factor according to the change in GHG emissions of the national electric power according to the 8th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, a change in emission of about 6% was confirmed. Based on the results of this study and analysis of direct GHG emissions from manure management in three major Western European countries, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, based on the manure management emission factor in 2017, GHG emissions of 48.9% to 70% compared to this study in all countries.Conclusions:In the greenhouse gas emission factor for the pig manure management system, the greenhouse gas emission from energy used in the manure management system operation represents a contribution of more than 20%, so improvement of energy efficiency of the manure management system in the future can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emission. As the GHG emissions of the pig manure management system are expected to change substantially according to the change in the power grid composition ratio according to the 8th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, it is necessary to study the application plan in preparation for the implementation of product environmental footprint certification for livestock products in the future. As a result of comparing direct GHG emissions by manure management with major Western European countries, the difference in emissions was found to be large, suggesting the need to develop a Tier 2 emission factor suitable for the situation in Korea.

147 Use of Productivity Enhancing Technologies in Beef Steers Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 79-80
Author(s):  
Sydney S Fortier ◽  
Tim A McAllister ◽  
Herbert Lardner ◽  
Aklilu Alemu ◽  
Getahun Legesse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Emission Intensity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Cattle Industry ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Farm Model

Abstract In the last decade, the cattle industry has witnessed increased demand from domestic and international markets for hormone and antibiotic free beef. However, the environmental consequences of switching from conventional production to “natural” beef have not been extensively examined. This study explored greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions estimated using a whole-farm model, Holos (www.agr.gc.ca/holos-ghg) with model inputs from a 2-year replicated study in which calves were managed from weaning to finishing with 6 treatments based on body weight and feeding strategy. Treatments included Heavy (H), which were directly finished, Medium (M), which were backgrounded prior to finishing, and Light (L), which were backgrounded and then grazed during the summer before being placed on a finishing diet. Each treatment was subdivided into two management practices: Conventional (CON) in which productivity enhancing technologies (PETs) were used (ionophores, steroid implants and beta-adrenergic agonists) and Natural (NAT) in which PETs were removed. Emission intensity (kg CO2e kg-1 boneless beef) of HNAT was 17.3 to 20.1% higher than HCON, MNAT was 20.3 to 20.5% higher than MCON and LNAT were 11.5–12.6% higher than LCON treatment. Conventional treatments, using PET’s, reduced GHG emissions, however grazing should be considered for its potential to store and promote carbon sequestration in perennial grasslands.

scholarly journals Understanding variability in greenhouse gas emission estimates of smallholder dairy farms in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Titis Apdini ◽  
Windi Al Zahra ◽  
Simon J. Oosting ◽  
Imke J. M. de Boer ◽  
Marion de Vries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Population Mean ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

Abstract Purpose Life cycle assessment studies on smallholder farms in tropical regions generally use data that is collected at one moment in time, which could hamper assessment of the exact situation. We assessed seasonal differences in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) from Indonesian dairy farms by means of longitudinal observations and evaluated the implications of number of farm visits on the variance of the estimated GHGE per kg milk (GHGEI) for a single farm, and the population mean. Methods An LCA study was done on 32 smallholder dairy farms in the Lembang district area, West Java, Indonesia. Farm visits (FVs) were performed every 2 months throughout 1 year: FV1–FV3 (rainy season) and FV4–FV6 (dry season). GHGEs were assessed for all processes up to the farm-gate, including upstream processes (production and transportation of feed, fertiliser, fuel and electricity) and on-farm processes (keeping animals, manure management and forage cultivation). We compared means of GHGE per unit of fat-and-protein-corrected milk (FPCM) produced in the rainy and the dry season. We evaluated the implication of number of farm visits on the variance of the estimated GHGEI, and on the variance of GHGE from different processes. Results and discussion GHGEI was higher in the rainy (1.32 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM) than in the dry (0.91 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM) season (P < 0.05). The between farm variance was 0.025 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM in both seasons. The within farm variance in the estimate for the single farm mean decreased from 0.69 (1 visit) to 0.027 (26 visits) kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM (rainy season), and from 0.32 to 0.012 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM (dry season). The within farm variance in the estimate for the population mean was 0.02 (rainy) and 0.01 (dry) kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM (1 visit), and decreased with an increase in farm visits. Forage cultivation was the main source of between farm variance, enteric fermentation the main source of within farm variance. Conclusions The estimated GHGEI was significantly higher in the rainy than in the dry season. The main contribution to variability in GHGEI is due to variation between observations from visits to the same farm. This source of variability can be reduced by increasing the number of visits per farm. Estimates for variation within and between farms enable a more informed decision about the data collection procedure.

scholarly journals Fisheries: A Missing Link in Greenhouse Gas Emission Policies in South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5858
Author(s):  
Kyumin Kim ◽  
Do-Hoon Kim ◽  
Yeonghye Kim
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Bioeconomic Model ◽  
Negative Externalities ◽  
Fishing Vessel ◽  
Gas Emission ◽  
Fishing Vessels ◽  
The Government ◽  
Different Levels

Recent studies demonstrate that fisheries are massive contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The average Korean fishing vessel is old, fuel-inefficient, and creates a large volume of emissions. Yet, there is little research on how to address the GHG emissions in Korean fisheries. This study estimated the change in GHG emissions and emission costs at different levels of fishing operations using a steady-state bioeconomic model based on the case of the Anchovy Tow Net Fishery (ATNF) and the Large Purse Seine Fishery (LPSF). We conclude that reducing the fishing efforts of the ATNF and LPSF by 37% and 8% respectively would not only eliminate negative externalities on the anchovy and mackerel stock respectively, but also mitigate emissions and emission costs in the fishing industry. To limit emissions, we propose that the Korean government reduce fishing efforts through a vessel-buyback program and set an annual catch limit. Alternatively, the government should provide loans for modernizing old fishing vessels or a subsidy for installing emission abatement equipment to reduce the excessive emissions from Korean fisheries.

Impacts of Government Policies, Fuel Cell Cost, and Battery Cost on Greenhouse Gas Emission of Light-Duty Vehicles

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swithin S. Razu ◽  
Shun Takai
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Government Policies ◽  
Alternative Fuel Vehicles ◽  
Enterprise Model ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this paper is to study the impact of public government policies, fuel cell cost, and battery cost on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the US transportation sector. The model includes a government model and an enterprise model. To examine the effect on GHG emissions that fuel cell and battery cost has, the optimization model includes public policy, fuel cell and battery cost, and a market mix focusing on the GHG effects of four different types of vehicles, 1) gasoline-based 2) gasoline-electric hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs), 3) battery-electric (BEVs) and 4) fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs). The public policies taken into consideration are infrastructure investments for hydrogen fueling stations and subsidies for purchasing AFVs. For each selection of public policy, fuel cell cost and battery cost in the government model, the enterprise model finds the optimum vehicle design that maximizes profit and updates the market mix, from which the government model can estimate GHG emissions. This paper demonstrates the model using FCV design as an illustrative example.

Fuel reduction burning mitigates wildfire effects on forest carbon and greenhouse gas emission

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liubov Volkova ◽  
C. P. Mick Meyer ◽  
Simon Murphy ◽  
Thomas Fairman ◽  
Fabienne Reisen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Forest Carbon ◽  
Fuel Reduction ◽  
Emission Mitigation ◽  
Complete Combustion ◽  
Eucalyptus Forest ◽  
Eastern Australia

A high-intensity wildfire burnt through a dry Eucalyptus forest in south-eastern Australia that had been fuel reduced with fire 3 months prior, presenting a unique opportunity to measure the effects of fuel reduction (FR) on forest carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wildfires at the start of the fuel accumulation cycle. Less than 3% of total forest carbon to 30-cm soil depth was transferred to the atmosphere in FR burning; the subsequent wildfire transferred a further 6% to the atmosphere. There was a 9% loss in carbon for the FR–wildfire sequence. In nearby forest, last burnt 25 years previously, the wildfire burning transferred 16% of forest carbon to the atmosphere and was characterised by more complete combustion of all fuels and less surface charcoal deposition, compared with fuel-reduced forest. Compared to the fuel-reduced forests, release of non-CO2 GHG doubled following wildfire in long-unburnt forest. Although this is the maximum emission mitigation likely within a planned burning cycle, it suggests a significant potential for FR burns to mitigate GHG emissions in forests at high risk from wildfires.

Carbon Footprint Analysis of an Educational Institution

2015 ◽  
Vol 787 ◽  
pp. 187-191
Author(s):  
P.M. Sivaram ◽  
N. Gowdhaman ◽  
D.Y. Ebin Davis ◽  
M. Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽  
Diesel Generator ◽  
Working Paper ◽  
Corporate Carbon Footprint ◽  
The Impact

Global warming and climate change are the foremost environmental challenges facing the world today. It is our responsibility to minimize the consumption of energy and hence reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. Companies choose ‘Carbon Footprint’ as a tool to calculate the greenhouse gas emission to show the impact of their activities on the environment. In this working paper, we assess the carbon foot print of an educational institution and suggest suitable measures for reducing it. Greenhouse gas emitting protocol for an academic institution in terms of tones of equivalent CO2 per year is projected using three basic steps includes planning (assessment of data’s), calculation and estimation of CO2 emitted. The estimation of carbon foot print is calculated by accounting direct emission from sources owned/controlled by the educational institution and from indirect emission i.e. purchased electricity, electricity produced by diesel Generator (DG), transport, cooking (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and other outsourced distribution. The CO2 absorbed by trees are also accounted. Some of the options are identified in order to reduce CO2 level. The information of corporate carbon footprint helps us identifying the Green House Gases (GHG) emission “hot spots” and identifies where the greatest capacity exists in order to reduce the GHG emissions. The main prioritization goes to transport and then followed by DG, cooking and then electricity. The per capita CO2 emission and the total CO2 emission for a typical educational institution are estimated.

PESTICIDE AND GREENHOUSE GAS EXTERNALITIES FROM US AGRICULTURE — THE IMPACT OF THEIR INTERNALIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

2013 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
pp. 1350008 ◽  
Author(s):  
NIKOLINKA SHAKHRAMANYAN ◽  
UWE A. SCHNEIDER ◽  
BRUCE A. McCARL
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Gas Emission ◽  
Emission Mitigation ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Impact

Climate change may affect the use of pesticides and their associated environmental and human health impacts. This study employs and modifies a partial equilibrium model of the US agricultural sector to examine the effects of alternative regulations of the pesticide and greenhouse gas emission externality. Simulation results indicate that without pesticide externality regulations and low greenhouse gas emission mitigation strategy, climate change benefits from increased agricultural production in the US are more than offset by increased environmental costs. Although the combined regulation of pesticide and greenhouse gas emission externalities increases farmers' production costs, their net income effects are positive because of price adjustments and associated welfare shifts from consumers to producers. The results also show heterogeneous impacts on preferred pest management intensities across major crops. While pesticide externality regulations lead to substantial increases in total water use, climate policies induce the opposite effect.

scholarly journals Qualitative Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Emission Footprints from Surface Excavation

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2498-2502
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Pipe Material ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
Surface Excavation

With growing concerns about global warming and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, there is an urgent need to evaluate and reduce the carbon footprint (CF) of surface excavation (SE). CF are GHG emissions caused by an activity or event. It is expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide (COR2 R), or its equivalent of other emitted GHGs. Choosing an appropriate low-carbon emission method for SE is a vital task and involves environmental concerns due to several energy-consuming activities. Since essentially, every SE impacts the environment, it becomes very important to evaluate this impact and take necessary actions to minimize any negative consequence. The objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive overview on progress acquired over the years in understanding GHG emissions from SE and to discuss the steps in CF estimation. Publications were identified that reported GHG emissions and CF of SE over past 30 years. This literature review suggests that for most of the SE, the material production phase consumes a large amount of energy and is a major contributor of GHG emissions. Early phases of project planning should include appropriate ecological decisions consistent with the life-cycle assessment (LCA) and CF considerations. Pipe material and outside diameter should be considered during the SE to allow a detailed evaluation and reduction of their environmental impacts (EI). Incorporation of additional factors, such as cost and duration of the project into the environmental analysis is also recommended.

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