Effect of low and high forage diet on enteric and manure pack greenhouse gas emissions from a feedlot

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Boadi ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg ◽  
S. L. Scott ◽  
D. Burton ◽  
K. Buckley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Sulfur Hexafluoride ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Isocaloric Diets ◽  
Dietary Treatments

The objectives of this study were to assess enteric methane (CH4) production by beef steers fed one of two isocaloric diets with different forage:grain ratios and to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from bedded manure packs in the eight feedlot pens holding these steers (14 head pen-1). Five animals (252 ± 20 kg) in each pen were randomly selected for measurement of CH4 emissions over the course of the 126-d feeding trial. Two 24-h gas collections were completed for each steer in each of three collection periods using the sulfur hexafluoride tracer gas technique. The fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from bedding packs were measured using vented static chambers in each sampling period. Methane production (L d-1) was 42% higher (P < 0.05) from steers fed the low forage:grain ratio than from steers fed the high forage:grain ratio. Overall, methane production (% of gross energy intake) ranged from 0.9 to 6.9% on the low forage:grain diet and from 0.7 to 4.9% on the high forage:grain diet. Daily CH4 emissions were similar in the first two periods and increased during the third sampling period. There was no effect of diet on manure pack temperature during sampling, however, the manure pack was deeper (P < 0.05) in pens holding animals fed the high forage:grain diet. Furthermore, diet had no effect on the manure pack fluxes. Total daily non-CO2 emissions from enteric and manure pack sources (CO2 equivalent) were different (P < 0.05) between dietary treatments and averaged 1931 ± 81 g head-1 d-1 for the low forage:grain and 1394 ± 81 g head-1 d-1 for the high forage:grain diet. Key words: Feedlot steers, greenhouse gases, enteric fermentation, manure packs

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.

Reducing methane production from ruminants – a practical approach

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 246-247
Author(s):  
F.P. O’Mara ◽  
D.K. Lovett
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Practical Approach ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Gas Emissions

Although methane production from enteric fermentation in ruminants has been studied for many years, it is only recently that research has focused on reducing methane production in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many new and novel strategies are being researched, but this paper focuses on mitigation strategies that could currently be implemented from the knowledge already available.

Effects of grain supplementation on methane production of grazing steers using the sulphur (SF6) tracer gas technique

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Boadi ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg ◽  
W. McCaughey
Keyword(s):  
Methane Production ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Early Period ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Tracer Gas ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Gross Energy

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of supplemental grain on methane (CH4) production of grazing steers. Eight beef steers (344.6 ± 6.4 kg) were assigned to legume-grass pasture (C; n = 4) or legume-grass pasture plusa rolled barley supplement (S; n = 4). In a completely randomized design with repeated measures, CH4 output was measured for two 24-h periods, using the SF6 tracer gas technique as steers entered (IN) and exited (OUT) paddocks. Two, 4 and 4 kg of rolled-barley grain was fed daily to S steersduring the EARLY, MID and LATE periods of the grazing season, respectively. Supplementation reduced forage dry matter intake (DMI) by 11% (P = 0.03) and increased total organic matter intake (TOMI) by 14% (P = 0.001). Daily CH4 production was similar for C and S steers (P > 0.05). Methane production, increased (P < 0.05) from 256 L d-1 in the EARLY period to 364 L d-1 at the MID and 342 L d-1 at the LATE period. Energy lost as CH4, % total gross energy intake (TGEI) ranged from 4.7 to 8.4% (mean 6.5 ± 0.3%) during the grazing season, and there was no difference between S (6.4 ± 0.6%) and C (6.7 ± 0.6%) steers (P = 0.71). Methane production declined with grazing on high-quality forages; steers on EARLY pastures had 44% and 29% lower (P < 0.05) energy loss as CH4 than animals on MID and LATE pastures, respectively. There was also a 54% lower CH4 loss when animals entered new paddocks relative to those exiting the paddocks (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that the effects of supplementation on CH4 production were marginal in grazing steers. The study suggests that pasture quality plays a major role in the extent to which CH4 production can be reduced with grain supplementation in grazing animals. Key words: Methane, grazing steers, grain supplementation, pasture quality

Greenhouse gas emissions intensity of Ontario milk production in 2011 compared with 1991

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susantha Jayasundara ◽  
Claudia Wagner-Riddle
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Emissions Intensity ◽  
Feed Crop

Jayasundara, S. and Wagner-Riddle, C. 2014. Greenhouse gas emissions intensity of Ontario milk production in 2011 compared with 1991. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 155–173. For identifying opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from milk production in Ontario, this study analyzed GHG intensity of milk [kg CO2 equivalents kg−1 fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM)] in 2011 compared with 1991 considering cow and crop productivity improvements and management changes over this period. It also assessed within-province variability in GHG intensity of milk in 2011 using county-level data related to milk production. After allocating whole-farm GHG emissions between milk and meat using an allocation factor calculated according to the International Dairy Federation equation, GHG intensity of Ontario milk was 1.03 kgCO2eq kg−1 FPCM in 2011, 22% lower than that in 1991 (1.32 kg CO2eq kg−1 FPCM). Greenhouse gas sources directly associated with dairy cattle decreased less (21 and 14% for enteric fermentation and manure management, respectively) than sources associated with feed crop production (30 to 34% for emissions related to N inputs and farm-field work). Proportions of GHG contributed from different life cycle activities did not change, with enteric fermentation contributing 46%, feed crop production 34%, manure management 18% and milking and related activities 2%. Within province, GHG intensity varied from 0.89 to 1.36 kg CO2eq kg−1 FPCM, a variation inversely correlated with milk productivity per cow (kg FPCM sold cow−1 year−1). The existence of a wide variation is strong indication for potential further reductions in GHG intensity of Ontario milk through the identification of practices associated with high efficiency.

scholarly journals Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture in EU Countries—State and Perspectives

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1396
Author(s):  
Paulina Mielcarek-Bocheńska ◽  
Wojciech Rzeźnik
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Trading System ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Reduction Techniques ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Environment Agency ◽  
The Eu

Agriculture is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and has great potential for mitigating climate change. The aim of this study is to analyze the amount, dynamics of changes, and structure of GHG emissions from agriculture in the EU in the years 2005–2018. The research based on data about GHG collected by the European Environment Agency. The structure of GHG emissions in 2018 in the EU is as follows: enteric fermentation (45%), agricultural soils (37.8%), manure management (14.7%), liming (1.4%), urea application (1%), and field burning of agricultural residues (0.1%). Comparing 2018 with the base year, 2005, emissions from the agricultural sector decreased by about 2%, which is less than the assumed 10% reduction of GHG emissions in the non-emissions trading system (non-ETS) sector. The ambitious goals set by the EU for 2030 assume a 30% reduction in the non-ETS sector. This will require a significant reduction in GHG emissions from agriculture. Based on the analysis of the GHG emission structure and available reduction techniques, it was calculated that in this period, it should be possible to reduce emissions from agriculture by about 15%.

scholarly journals Effect of Manure from Cattle Fed 3-Nitrooxypropanol on Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions Depends on Soil Type

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 371
Author(s):  
Tien L. Weber ◽  
Xiying Hao ◽  
Cole D. Gross ◽  
Karen A. Beauchemin ◽  
Scott X. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Gray Luvisol

Cattle production is a large source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Canadian livestock sector. Efforts to reduce CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation have led to modifications of diet composition for livestock, resulting in a corresponding change in manure properties. We studied the effect of applying manure from cattle fed a barley-based diet with and without the methane inhibitor supplement, 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), on soil GHG emissions. Three soils common to Alberta, Canada, were used: a Black Chernozem, a Dark Brown Chernozem, and a Gray Luvisol. We compared the supplemented (3-NOPM) and non-supplemented manure (BM) amendments to a composted 3-NOPM (3-NOPC) amendment and a control with no manure amendment (CK). In an 84-day laboratory incubation experiment, 3-NOPM had significantly lower cumulative CO2 emissions compared to BM in both the Black Chernozem and Gray Luvisol. The cumulative N2O emissions were lowest for 3-NOPC and CK and highest for 3-NOPM across all soil types. Cumulative CH4 emissions were only affected by soil type, with a net positive flux from the fine-textured Gray Luvisol and Dark Brown Chernozem and a net negative flux from the coarse-textured Black Chernozem. Cumulative anthropogenic GHG emissions (CO2-equivalent) from soil amended with 3-NOPM were significantly higher than those for both BM and CK amendments in the Black Chernozem, while the cumulative anthropogenic GHG emissions from the 3-NOPC treatment were similar to or significantly lower than those for the BM and CK treatments across all soil types. We conclude that soil GHG emissions resulting from the 3-NOPM amendment are dependent on soil type and 3-NOPM could potentially increase soil GHG emissions compared to BM or CK. Although we show that the composting of 3-NOPM prior to soil application can reduce soil GHG emissions, the composting process also releases GHGs, which should also be considered in assessing the life-cycle of manure application. Our results provide a first look at the potential effect of the next stage in the life cycle of 3-NOP on GHG emissions. Further research related to the effect of soil properties, particularly in field studies, is needed to assess the best management practices related to the use of manure from cattle-fed diets supplemented with 3-NOP as a soil amendment.

Revised greenhouse-gas emissions from Australian dairy farms following application of updated methodology

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 937 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Christie ◽  
R. P. Rawnsley ◽  
C. Phelps ◽  
R. J. Eckard
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Emission Intensity ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
On Farm ◽  
The Impact

Every year since 1990, the Australian Federal Government has estimated national greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions to meet Australia’s reporting commitments under the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI) methodology used to estimate Australia’s GHG emissions has altered over time, as new research data have been used to improve the inventory emission factors and algorithms, with the latest change occurring in 2015 for the 2013 reporting year. As measuring the GHG emissions on farm is expensive and time-consuming, the dairy industry is reliant on estimating emissions using tools such as the Australian Dairy Carbon Calculator (ADCC). The present study compared the emission profiles of 41 Australian dairy farms with ADCC using the old (pre-2015) and new (post-2015) NGGI methodologies to examine the impact of the changes on the emission intensity across a range of dairy-farm systems. The estimated mean (±s.d.) GHG emission intensity increased by 3.0%, to 1.07 (±0.02) kg of carbon dioxide equivalents per kilogram of fat-and-protein-corrected milk (kg CO2e/kg FPCM). When comparing the emission intensity between the old and new NGGI methodologies at a regional level, the change in emission intensity varied between a 4.6% decrease and 10.4% increase, depending on the region. When comparing the source of emissions between old and new NGGI methodologies across the whole dataset, methane emissions from enteric fermentation and waste management both increased, while nitrous oxide emissions from waste management and nitrogen fertiliser management, CO2 emissions from energy consumption and pre-farm gate (supplementary feed and fertilisers) emissions all declined. Enteric methane remains a high source of emissions and so will remain a focus for mitigation research. However, these changes to the NGGI methodology have highlighted a new ‘hotspot’ in methane from manure management. Researchers and farm managers will have greater need to identify and implement practices on-farm to reduce methane losses to the environment.

scholarly journals Short communication: Impact of the intensity of milk production on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions in Portuguese cattle farms

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. e06SC05 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Pereira ◽  
Henrique Trindade
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
Cattle Farm ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cattle Farms

<p>The aim of this study was evaluate the relationship between the intensity of milk production for a wide range of Portuguese commercial cattle farms and NH<sub>3</sub> and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from manure management and enteric fermentation. A survey was carried out at 1471 commercial dairy cattle farms (Holstein-Friesian) and the NH<sub>3</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O and CH<sub>4</sub> emissions at each stage of manure management were estimated as well as CH<sub>4</sub> losses from enteric fermentation. Gaseous emissions were estimated by a mass flow approach and following the recommendations of IPCC guidelines. The manure management and enteric fermentation in a typical Portuguese cattle farm contributes with 7.5±0.15 g N/L milk produced as NH<sub>3</sub> and 1.2±0.22 kg CO<sub>2</sub> equivalent per litre of milk as GHG. Increasing milk production will significantly reduce NH<sub>3</sub> and GHG emissions per litre of milk produced. It can be concluded that a win-win strategy for reducing NH<sub>3</sub> and GHG emissions from dairy cattle farms will be the increase of milk production on these farms. This goal can be achieved by implementing animal breeding programs and improving feed efficiency in order to increase productivity.</p>

scholarly journals Towards the development of a GHG emissions baseline for the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.B. Stevens ◽  
J. Henri ◽  
M. Van Nierop ◽  
E. Van Staden ◽  
J. Lodder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Mitigation Potential ◽  
Dynamic Relationship ◽  
Global Goal ◽  
Emission Projections

South Africa is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and as such is required to report on Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Energy, Transport, Waste and the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sectors every two years in national inventories. The AFOLU sector is unique in that it comprises both sources and sinks for GHGs. Emissions from the AFOLU sector are estimated to contribute a quarter of the total global greenhouse gas emissions. GHG emissions sources from agriculture include enteric fermentation; manure management; manure deposits on pastures, and soil fertilization. Emissions sources from Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) include anthropogenic land use activities such as: management of croplands, forests and grasslands and changes in land use cover (the conversion of one land use to another). South Africa has improved the quantification of AFOLU emissions and the understanding of the dynamic relationship between sinks and sources over the past decade through projects such as the 2010 GHG Inventory, the Mitigation Potential Analysis (MPA), and the National Terrestrial Carbon Sinks Assessment (NTCSA). These projects highlight key mitigation opportunities in South Africa and discuss their potentials. The problem remains that South Africa does not have an emissions baseline for the AFOLU sector against which the mitigation potentials can be measured. The AFOLU sector as a result is often excluded from future emission projections, giving an incomplete picture of South Africa’s mitigation potential. The purpose of this project was to develop a robust GHG emissions baseline for the AFOLU sector which will enable South Africa to project emissions into the future and demonstrate its contribution towards the global goal of reducing emissions.

scholarly journals Methane production in different breeds, grazing different pastures or fed a total mixed ration, as measured by a Laser Methane Detector

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 12-16
Author(s):  
SM Grobler ◽  
MM Scholtz ◽  
H Van Rooyan ◽  
M Mpayipheli ◽  
FWC Neser
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Total Mixed Ration ◽  
Forage Sorghum ◽  
Ch4 Production

Agriculture is responsible for 5% to 10% of the global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Livestock contribute about 65% of agricultural GHG and enteric fermentation accounts for 90% of this. The global warming potential of CH4 is known to be 23 times more than that of carbon dioxide, resulting in it being a significant role player in the greenhouse gas family. The laser methane detector (LMD) is an instrument that has the potential to measure enteric CH4 emission from livestock under normal husbandry activities. This study was aimed at evaluating the efficiency and results, when using the LMD to measure CH4 production under normal production conditions. Twelve heifers, four each from the Bonsmara, Nguni and Jersey breeds, were subjected to grazing natural veld, forage sorghum under irrigation, oats pasture under irrigation or a total mixed ration. Measurements were taken late afternoon (18:00) when the animals were ruminating. Four repeated measurements, lasting 60 seconds each, were taken on 10 consecutive days on each of the production systems. The animals were adapted for a period of 14 days on the specific feed, before the measurements were taken. The Jersey heifers produced significantly less CH4 than the Bonsmara and Nguni on natural veld, with no significant differences between breeds on the forage sorghum. On natural veld the heifers generated 48% more CH4. These results thus indicate that the LMD produce sensible and repeatable measurements that can be interpreted in respect of CH4 production by cattle. The next step will be to increase the number of breeds, numbers per breed, and feeding strategies over all seasons in order to validate and build up a baseline data set on the use of the LMD to measure CH4 emissions from cattle under different grazing conditions.Keywords: Heifers, methane emission, pastures, total mixed ration

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