Methane emissions from enteric fermentation in Alberta’s beef cattle population

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Basarab ◽  
E. K. Okine ◽  
V. S. Baron ◽  
T. Marx ◽  
P. Ramsey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Methane Emission ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Emission Factors ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Cattle Population ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Canadian Research

This study determined methane emissions from enteric fermentation in Alberta’s beef cattle population by using three methodologies: (1) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Tier 2 guidelines for cattle, (2) actual methane emission factors, expressed as a percentage of gross energy intake, from Canadian research trials and; (3) CowBytes© plus the basic equation developed by Blaxter and Clapperton (1965). Methane emissions, in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-E), from Alberta’s beef cattle were determined for 1990, 1996 and 2001. Census of Agriculture numbers for Alberta (Statistics Canada; www.statcan.com) were used and beef cattle were subdivided into 31 distinct categories based on animal type, physiological status, gender, weight, growth rate, activity level and age. Emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) from Alberta ’s beef cattle population, based on IPCC Tier 2 guidelines, were 4.93, 6.57 and 7.01 Mt CO2-E yr-1 in 1990, 1996 and 2001, respectively. Emissions based on methane emission factors from Canadian research trials were 6.23, 8.26 and 8.77 Mt CO2-E yr-1 in 1990, 1996 and 2001, respectively. Estimated methane emissions based on CowBytes© and Blaxter and Clapperton’s (1965) equation were 6.24, 8.35 and 8.94 Mt CO2-E yr-1 in 1990, 1996 and 2001, respectively. The IPCC Tier 2 values were 25.2–26.5% lower than the GHG emissions calculated using emission factors from western Canadian research and 26.7–27.6% lower than GHG emissions calculated from CowBytes© and Blaxter and Clapperton’s equation. IPCC Tier 1 values, which were calculated by multiplying total beef cattle in Alberta by four single value emission factors (beef cows = 72 kg CH4 yr-1; bulls = 75 kg CH4 yr-1; replacement heifers = 56 kg CH4 yr-1; calves, steer and heifer calves for slaughter = 47 kg CH4 yr-1), were 4.83, 6.40 and 6.83 Mt CO2-E in 1990, 1996 and 2001, respectively. Thus, IPCC Tier 1 GHG emissions from enteric fermentation in beef cattle were 2.0–2.7, 28.6–29.1 and 29.2–31.0% lower than those calculated from IPCC Tier 2, western Canadian research trials, and CowBytes© plus Blaxter and Clapperton’s equation, respectively. These results reflect the uncertainty associated with estimating methane emissions from enteric fermentation in cattle and suggest that further research is required to improve the accuracy of methane emissions, particularly for beef cows in their second and third trimester of pregnancy and fed in confinement. They also indicate that a more robust methodology may be to combine CowBytes© predicted dry matter intake with regional specific methane emission factors, where methane loss is expressed as a percentage of gross energy intake. Key words: Cattle, enteric fermentation, greenhouse gas, methane

scholarly journals Methane emission factors for enteric fermentation in beef cattle using IPCC Tier-2 method in Indonesia

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeni Widiawati ◽  
M.N. Rofiq ◽  
B. Tiesnamurti
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Methane Emission ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Emission Factors ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Cattle Population ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Country Specific

<p class="abstrak2">Methane emission from enteric is a sub-category considered under the Agriculture sector greenhouse gas emissions by UNFCCC, thus Indonesia developed calculation on enteric CH<sub>4</sub> EF for ruminant using Tier-2 method as country-specific emission factors (EF). Indonesia has huge amount of beef cattle population, which contributes significant amount to national enteric methane emission. The aim of this study was to estimate enteric methane EF for beef cattle in Indonesia using IPCC Tier-2 method.  The EF generated from this study is then used to estimate the methane emitted from beef cattle. Data on beef cattle population was obtained from BPS, data on energy content of feed, feed intake and digestibility were compiled from laboratory analysis and published paper. Equations were adopted and followed the instruction of IPCC 2006. Local cattle has different CH<sub>4</sub> EF among each sub-category, which are  ranging from 18.18 to 55.89 Kg head-1 yr-1, with the average of 36.75  head-1 yr-1. Imported beef cattle has lower  CH<sub>4</sub> EF (25.49 kg head-1 yr-1) than the average for local beef cattle. Overall, the national CH<sub>4</sub> EF of beef cattle calculated by using IPCC Tier-2 method in Indonesia is 33.14 head-1 yr-1. The value is lower than default EF from IPCC for Asia country (47 kg head-1 yr-1). The conclusion is enteric CH<sub>4</sub> EF for beef cattle in Indonesia calculated using Tier-2 method shows the real livestock system in Indonesia condition. Further research needed to be addressed are calculation of EFs for various breeds and feeding systems, since large variations of breeds and types of feed among provinces in Indonesia.</p>

Estimates of enteric methane emissions from cattle in Canada using the IPCC Tier-2 methodology

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. Ominski ◽  
D. A. Boadi ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg ◽  
D. L. Fulawka ◽  
J. A. Basarab
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Emission Factors ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Enteric Methane

The objective of this study was to estimate enteric methane (CH4) emissions of the Canadian cattle population using the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier-2 methodology. Estimates were then compared with IPCC Tier-1 methodology and data from Canadian research studies (CRS). Animal inventory data for the Canadian beef and dairy cattle herd was obtained from Statistics Canada. Information on cattle performance and feeding practices were obtained from provincial cattle specialists via a survey, as well as various published reports. Methane emissions from dairy and beef cattle in Canada for 2001 were 173 030 t yr-1 or 3.6 Mt CO2 eq. and 763 852 t yr-1 or 16.0 Mt CO2 eq., respectively, using Tier-2 methodology. Emissions for dairy cattle ranged from 708 t yr-1 in Newfoundland to 62 184 t yr-1 in Ontario. Emissions for beef cattle ranged from 191 t yr-1 in Newfoundland to 356 345 t yr-1 in Alberta. The national emission factors (kg CH4 yr-1) using IPCC Tier-2 were 73, 126, 90, 94, 40, 75, 63 and 56 for dairy heifers, dairy cows, beef cows, bulls, calves < 1yr, beef heifer replacements, heifers > 1 yr, and steers > 1yr, respectively. Emission factors (kg CH4 yr-1) for the above classes of cattle using IPCC Tier-1 were 56, 118, 72, 75, 47, 56, 47 and 47, respectively. The values were 15.1% higher to 25.3% lower than those obtained using IPCC Tier-2 methodology. When IPCC Tier-2 emission factors were compared with CRS, they were 12.3% lower to 32.6% higher than those obtained using the Tier-2 methodology. In conclusion, national estimates of enteric emissions from the Canadian cattle industry using Tier-1 and Tier-2 methodologies, as well as CRS, differ depending on the methodology used. Tier-2 methodology does allow for the inclusion of information other than population data, including feeding strategies, as well as duration of time in a given production environment. Additional research is required to establish the extent to which feed energy is converted to methane for those production scenarios for which there is no published data. Key words: IPCC Tier-2, IPCC Tier-1, enteric fermentation, cattle, methane, emission factor, methane conversion rate

Estimation of enteric methane emissions trends (1990–2008) from Manitoba beef cattle using empirical and mechanistic models

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aklilu Alemu ◽  
K. H. Ominski ◽  
E. Kebreab
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Mechanistic Models ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Cattle Population ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Feed Composition ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Empirical And Mechanistic Models ◽  
Enteric Methane Emissions

Alemu, A. W., Ominski, K. H. and Kebreab, E. 2011. Estimation of enteric methane emissions trends (1990–2008) from Manitoba beef cattle using empirical and mechanistic models. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 305–321. The objective of this study was to estimate and assess trends in enteric methane (CH4) emissions from the Manitoba beef cattle population from the base year of 1990 to 2008 using mathematical models. Two empirical (statistical) models: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 and a nonlinear equation (Ellis), and two dynamic mechanistic models: MOLLY (v3) and COWPOLL were used. Beef cattle in Manitoba were categorized in to 29 distinct subcategories based on management practice, physiological status, gender, age and production environment. Data on animal performance, feeding and management practices and feed composition were collected from the literature as well as from provincial and national sources. Estimates of total enteric CH4 production from the Manitoba beef cattle population varied between 0.9 and 2.4 Mt CO2 eq. from 1990 to 2008. Regardless of the type of models used, average CH4 emissions for 2008 were estimated to be 45.2% higher than 1990 levels. More specifically, CH4 emissions tended to increase between 1990 and 1996. Emissions were relatively stable between 1996 and 2002, increased between 2003 and 2005, but declined by 13.2% between 2005 and 2008, following the same trend as that observed in the beef cattle population. Models varied in their estimates of CH4 conversion rate (Ym, percent gross energy intake), emission factor (kg CH4 head−1 yr−1) and CH4 production. Total CH4 production estimates ranged from 1.2 to 2.0 Mt CO2 eq. for IPCC Tier 2, from 0.9 to 1.5 Mt CO2 eq. for Ellis, from 1.3 to 2.1 Mt CO2 eq. for COWPOLL and from 1.5 to 2.4 Mt CO2 eq. for MOLLY. The results indicate that enteric CH4 estimates and emission trends in Manitoba were influenced by the type of model and beef cattle population. As such, it is necessary to use appropriate models for reliable estimates for enteric CH4 inventory. A more robust approach may be to integrate different models by using mechanistic models to estimate regional Ym values, which may then be used as input for the IPCC Tier 2 model.

scholarly journals Estimation of methane emission factor for enteric fermentation of growing-finishing Hanwoo steers using the IPCC Tier 2 approach

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namchul Jo ◽  
Jongnam Kim ◽  
Seongwon Seo
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emission ◽  
Emission Factor ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Mitigation Strategy ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tier 1

Enteric methane (CH4) production by cattle is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the livestock sector. In order to develop a national GHG inventory and establish a mitigation strategy for GHG emissions from livestock production, accurate estimation of enteric CH4 production by cattle is required. In this regard, the Tier 2 method in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines is the most widely used. The objective of this study was to estimate and evaluate the CH4 emission factor (MEF; kg CH4/head/year) for enteric fermentation using the IPCC Tier 2 method in Hanwoo steers, a dominant beef production species in Korea raised in a unique feeding system (e.g., a duration of > 16 months in a feedlot). Methane emission factor for enteric fermentation was estimated using the IPCC Tier 2 method (T2) on Korea- and Hanwoo-specific data obtained from the literature. The MEF values were also estimated and compared using the IPCC Tier 1 (T1), the IPCC Tier 2 methodology with estimated gross energy GE intake based on actual dry matter intake (T2DMI), and the Japanese Tier 3 method (JT3). JT3 was chosen due to the similarity in the beef cattle production system between the two countries. Estimated MEF using T2 were 43.4, 33.9, and 36.2 kg CH4/head/year for the growing, finishing, and overall period, respectively. The overall MEF estimated using T2 was 23% lower than the estimate by T1 (47.0 kg CH4/head/year). There were significant differences in the estimated MEF for enteric fermentation of Hanwoo steers among the T2, T2DMI, and JT3 methods. JT3 estimated the highest values in all periods possibly due to overestimation of the conversion ratio of feed energy to CH4. No significant difference was found in the overall MEF of Hanwoo steers between T2 and T2DMI. However, T2DMI estimated 8% higher and 14% lower MEF than T2 for the growing and finishing period, respectively, mainly because the IPCC Tier 2 model significantly over-predicts the GE intake of Hanwoo steers at the high level of intake. The IPCC Tier 2 methodology is preferred to IPCC Tier 1 in estimating the MEF for enteric fermentation of Hanwoo steers, and the DMI model for Japanese cattle can be used to predict DMI of Hanwoo steers. In order to reduce the uncertainty of the estimates and search for a better mitigation strategy, however, development of a country-specific methodology and parameter estimates for enteric CH4 production of Hanwoo is required.

scholarly journals Development of methane emission factors for enteric fermentation in cattle from Benin using IPCC Tier 2 methodology

animal ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 526-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.B. Kouazounde ◽  
J.D. Gbenou ◽  
S. Babatounde ◽  
N. Srivastava ◽  
S.H. Eggleston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emission ◽  
Emission Factors ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Enteric Fermentation

scholarly journals Enteric Methane Emission Estimates for the Zimbabwean Sanga Cattle Breeds of Tuli and Mashona

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Showman Gwatibaya ◽  
Chrispen Murungweni ◽  
Irvine Mpofu ◽  
Raphael Jingura ◽  
Accadius Tinarwo Tigere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emission ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Emission Factors ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Cattle Breeds ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Sanga Cattle ◽  
Enteric Methane Emissions

Abstract The effectiveness of methane mitigation in ruminant livestock production systems depends on the accuracy of estimating methane emission factors and providing accurate emission inventories. Following the Paris Climate agreement, it is recommended that countries adopt the Tier-2 approach for estimating enteric methane emissions from ruminants instead of the Tier-1 approach currently used by most countries. This study sought to provide base line enteric methane emission estimates for the Tuli and Mashona Sanga cattle breeds in Zimbabwe using the IPCC Tier-2 model. Using animal characterization data collected from 412 cattle from Grasslands Research Institute and 406 cattle from Makoholi Research Institute, net energy requirements were estimated. From this and the estimate for digestibility, gross energy intake and dry matter intake were estimated. Gross energy intakes and the estimated methane conversion factor were used to estimate enteric methane emissions. Mean emission factors for Tuli were 45.1, 56, 28.5, 28.4, 20.6kg CH4/head/year for cows, bulls, heifers, steers and calves respectively. For Mashona, they were 47.8, 51.9, 29, 29.1 and 20.7kgCH4/head/year for cows, bulls, heifers, steers and calves respectively. Generally, estimated Tier-2 emission factors were significantly different from the IPCC Tier-1 default emission factors. This study concluded that enteric methane emission factors estimated using the IPCC Tier-2 model offer insights into the controversial use of the default IPCC Tier-1 emission factors.

scholarly journals Estimation of methane emission factor for enteric fermentation of growing-finishing Hanwoo steers using the IPCC Tier 2 approach

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namchul Jo ◽  
Jongnam Kim ◽  
Seongwon Seo
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emission ◽  
Emission Factor ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Mitigation Strategy ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tier 1

Enteric methane (CH4) production by cattle is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the livestock sector. In order to develop a national GHG inventory and establish a mitigation strategy for GHG emissions from livestock production, accurate estimation of enteric CH4 production by cattle is required. In this regard, the Tier 2 method in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines is the most widely used. The objective of this study was to estimate and evaluate the CH4 emission factor (MEF; kg CH4/head/year) for enteric fermentation using the IPCC Tier 2 method in Hanwoo steers, a dominant beef production species in Korea raised in a unique feeding system (e.g., a duration of > 16 months in a feedlot). Methane emission factor for enteric fermentation was estimated using the IPCC Tier 2 method (T2) on Korea- and Hanwoo-specific data obtained from the literature. The MEF values were also estimated and compared using the IPCC Tier 1 (T1), the IPCC Tier 2 methodology with estimated gross energy GE intake based on actual dry matter intake (T2DMI), and the Japanese Tier 3 method (JT3). JT3 was chosen due to the similarity in the beef cattle production system between the two countries. Estimated MEF using T2 were 43.4, 33.9, and 36.2 kg CH4/head/year for the growing, finishing, and overall period, respectively. The overall MEF estimated using T2 was 23% lower than the estimate by T1 (47.0 kg CH4/head/year). There were significant differences in the estimated MEF for enteric fermentation of Hanwoo steers among the T2, T2DMI, and JT3 methods. JT3 estimated the highest values in all periods possibly due to overestimation of the conversion ratio of feed energy to CH4. No significant difference was found in the overall MEF of Hanwoo steers between T2 and T2DMI. However, T2DMI estimated 8% higher and 14% lower MEF than T2 for the growing and finishing period, respectively, mainly because the IPCC Tier 2 model significantly over-predicts the GE intake of Hanwoo steers at the high level of intake. The IPCC Tier 2 methodology is preferred to IPCC Tier 1 in estimating the MEF for enteric fermentation of Hanwoo steers, and the DMI model for Japanese cattle can be used to predict DMI of Hanwoo steers. In order to reduce the uncertainty of the estimates and search for a better mitigation strategy, however, development of a country-specific methodology and parameter estimates for enteric CH4 production of Hanwoo is required.

Sources of uncertainty in the IPCC Tier 2 Canadian livestock model

2011 ◽  
Vol 150 (5) ◽  
pp. 556-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. KARIMI-ZINDASHTY ◽  
J. D. MACDONALD ◽  
R. L. DESJARDINS ◽  
D. E. WORTH ◽  
J. J. HUTCHINSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emission ◽  
Methane Conversion ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Manure Management ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Sources Of Uncertainty ◽  
Uncertainty Estimates ◽  
Ipcc Default

SUMMARYEstimates of uncertainties are essential when comparing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a variety of sources. Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) was applied to estimate the uncertainties in methane emissions and the methane emission intensities from livestock in Canada, calculated using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology. National methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management in 2008 were 21·2 and 4·3 Teragram CO2 equivalents (Tg CO2e) with uncertainties of 38 and 73%, respectively. The methane emission intensities (kg of CO2e per kg of live animal weight) were 5·9, 0·9 and 4·9 from Canadian beef, swine and lamb, respectively, with overall uncertainties of 44, 99 and 101%, defined as the 95% confidence interval relative to the mean. A sensitivity analysis demonstrated that IPCC default parameters such as the methane conversion rate (Ym), the coefficient for calculating net energy for maintenance (Cfi) and the methane conversion factor (MCF) were the greatest sources of uncertainty. Canadian agricultural methane emissions are usually calculated by province and by animal subcategories. However, the IPCC default parameters can be assumed to be correlated among regions and animal subcategories; therefore values are assigned at the national scale for the main cattle categories (dairy and non-dairy cattle). When it was assumed that these parameters were uncorrelated at the regional scale, the overall uncertainties were reduced to 20 and 48% for enteric fermentation and manure management, respectively, and assuming that parameters were uncorrelated at the animal subcategory scale reduced uncertainties to 13 and 41% for enteric fermentation and manure management, respectively. When the uncertainty is assigned at the most disaggregated level, even doubling the uncertainty of key parameters such as Ym and Cfi, only increased the national uncertainties to 22 and 52% for enteric fermentation and manure management, respectively. The current analysis demonstrated the importance of obtaining parameters specific to regions and animal subcategories in order to estimate GHG emissions more accurately and to reduce the uncertainties in agricultural GHG inventories. It also showed that assumptions made in the calculation of uncertainties can have a large influence on the uncertainty estimates.

scholarly journals Analysis of Inputs Parameters Used to Estimate Enteric Methane Emission Factors Applying a Tier 2 Model: Case Study of Native Cattle in Senegal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Séga Ndao
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Methane Emission ◽  
Input Parameter ◽  
Emission Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Input Parameters ◽  
Native Cattle

In the context of the Paris Agreement, and considering the importance of methane emissions from cattle in West Africa, application of a Tier 2 method to estimate enteric methane emission factors is clearly pertinent. The current study has two purposes. Firstly, it aims to detect how much each input parameter contributes to the overall uncertainty of enteric methane emission factors for cattle. Secondly, it aims to identify which input parameters require additional research efforts for strengthening the evidence base, thus reducing the uncertainty of methane enteric emission factors. Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis methodologies were applied to input parameters in the calculation of enteric methane emission factors for lactating cows and adult male Senegalese native cattle using the IPCC Tier 2 model. The results show that the IPCC default input parameters, such as the coefficient for calculating net energy for maintenance (Cfi), digestible energy (DE) and the methane conversion rate (Ym) are the first, second and third most important input parameters, respectively, in terms of their contribution to uncertainty of the enteric methane emission factor. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that future research in Senegal should prioritize the development of Ym, Cfi and DE in order to estimate enteric methane emission factors more accurately and to reduce the uncertainty of the national agricultural greenhouse gas inventory.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document