Cattle and swine manure methane emissions

Summary

This methodology represents methane (CH₄) emissions associated with the management and storage of buffalo, cattle and swine manure. The data and calculation methodology is sourced from the IPCC, as published in Volume 4, Chapter 10 - Emissions from Livestock and Manure Management of their 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.

The methodology

Emissions model

The decomposition of manure under anaerobic conditions (i.e., in the absence of oxygen), during storage and treatment, produces CH₄. These conditions occur most readily when large numbers of animals are managed in a confined area (e.g., dairy farms, beef feedlots, and swine and poultry farms), and where manure is disposed of in liquid-based systems.

This emissions methodology is based upon emissions factors which describe the typical rate at which manure-associated CH₄ is produced by single 'heads' of livestock (i.e. individual animals) and are expressed on an annual basis. These data are based on typical volatile solid excretion rates and maximum methane production capacities for each specific livestock type as well as manure => methane conversion factors weighted according to the manure management type mix specific to each region and indicative annual temperature.

Annual emission rates for a population or sub-population of livestock (e.g. kg / year) are calculated by multiplying the per animal emissions rates by the total number of livestock under consideration.

This methodology represents the IPCC Tier 1 approach.

Model data

The rate at which CH₄ is emitted ultimately depends on the quantity of manure decomposing anaerobically, which, in turn, depends on the number of animals, the rate of waste production per animal, and how the manure is managed. When manure is stored or treated as a liquid (e.g., in lagoons, ponds, tanks, or pits), it decomposes anaerobically and can produce a significant quantity of CH₄. In these cases, the temperature and duration of storage greatly affect the amount of CH₄ produced. Where manure is handled as a solid (e.g., in stacks or piles) or deposited on pastures and rangelands, it tends to decompose under more aerobic conditions and less CH₄ is produced (biogenic CO₂ is produced instead). The typical mix of management practices employed varies with geographic location and/or developmental context.

As such, emissions factors for a broad range of scenarios are provided within this methodology. A total of 703 specific scenarios are represented, differentiated by livestock type (e.g., buffalo, dairy cattle, market swine), geographic region (e.g., North America, Middle East) and annual average temperature (10-28 °C).

Each scenario is represented by an annual manure-associated methane emissions rate per individual animal (kg / yr). In addition, the methodology uses the global warming potential of CH₄ to convert absolute emissions quantities into CO₂e - the quantity of CO₂ which would exert the same atmospheric warming effect.

Activity data required

Methane emissions are directly proportionate to the total population of livestock kept. The total number of livestock under consideration must therefore be specified in order to make an emissions calculation.

Calculation and results

This emissions calculated by this methodology represent those attributable to the specified population of livestock over a period of 1 year.

The methodology calculates two emissions quantities: (1) the absolute quantity of methane associated with the livestock population; and (2) methane emissions expressed in terms of CO₂e.

Additional information

Nomenclature

Following IPCC advice, the term manure is used collectively to include both dung and urine (i.e., the solids and the liquids) produced by livestock.

Related methodologies

Analogous methodologies are also available focussing on poultry and other livestock CH₄ emissions associated with manure management.