Abstract
Ruminant livestock systems are a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Thus far, mitigation options for GHG emissions mainly focused on a single gas, and are treated as isolated activities. The present paper proposes a framework for a farm level approach for the full accounting of GHG emissions. The methodology accounts for the relevant direct and indirect emissions of methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide, including carbon sequestration. Furthermore, the potential trade-off with ammonia volatilisation and nitrate leaching are taken into account. A ruminant livestock farm is represented with a conceptual model consisting of five pools: animal, manure, soil, crop and feed. The carbon and nitrogen inputs, throughputs and outputs are described, and the direct emissions are related to the carbon and nitrogen flows. The indirect emissions included in the methodology are mainly carbon dioxide emissions from energy use and nitrous oxide emissions related to imported resources and nitrogen losses. The whole farm approach is illustrated with a case of two dairy farms with contrasting livestock density and grassland management. It is shown that the inclusion of carbon sequestration and all indirect emissions have a major impact on the GHG budget of the farm. For one farm, the effect of four mitigation options on the GHG emissions was quantified. It was concluded that a whole farm approach of full accounting contributes to a better insight in the interactions between the carbon and nitrogen flows and the resulting emissions, within and outside the farm boundaries. Consequently, the methodology can be used to develop efficient and effective mitigation strategies.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
L. Brown S.C. Jarvis D. Headon (2001) ArticleTitleA farm-scale basis for predicting nitrous oxide emissions from dairy farms Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 60 149–158 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xkt1ShtA%3D%3D
D.W. Bussink (1992) ArticleTitleAmmonia volatilization from grassland receiving nitrogen-fertilizer and rotationally grazed by dairy-cattle Fert. Res. 33 257–265 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXksVynsLc%3D
D.W. Bussink (1994) ArticleTitleRelationships between ammonia volatilization and nitrogen-fertilizer application rateintake and excretion of herbage nitrogen by cattle on grazed swards Fert. Res. 38 111–121
W.J. Corré (2002) Agricultural Land Use and Emissions of Methane and Nitrous oxide in Europe Plant Research International Wageningen, The Netherlands
InstitutionalAuthorNameCVB (2002) Tabellenboek veevoeding Centraal veevoederbureau Lelystad The Netherlands
M.H.A. Haan ParticleDe (2001) ArticleTitleEconomics of environmental measures on experimental farm ‘De Marke’ Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 49 179–194
R.M. Mol ParticleDe M.A. Hilhorst (2003) Methaan-, lachgas- en ammoniakemissie bij productieopslag en transport van mest Instituut voor Milieu- en Agritechniek Wageningen, The Netherlands
J.M. Estavillo P. Merino M. Pinto S. Yamulki G. Gebauer A. Sapek W. Corre (2002) ArticleTitleShort term effect of ploughing a permanent pasture on N2O production from nitrification and denitrification Plant Soil 239 253–265 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XktFWitr4%3D
EUROSTAT 2003. Between 1990 and 2000, European Agriculture has reduced its Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 6.4%. Statistical Office of the European Communities, Luxemburg.
H. Flessa W. Pfau P. Dorsch F. Beese (1996) ArticleTitleThe influence of nitrate and ammonium fertilization on N2O release and CH4 uptake of a well-drained topsoil demonstrated by a soil microcosm experiment Z. Pflanzen. Bodenk. 159 499–503 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XmsFaltb0%3D
A. Freibauer (2003) ArticleTitleRegionalised inventory of biogenic greenhouse gas emissions from European agriculture Eur. J. Agron. 19 135–160 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXjtVKhtLw%3D
I.W. Hageman (1994) Invloed bedrijfsfactoren op energieverbruik melkveebedrijven Proefstation voor de Rundveehouderij, Schapenhouderij en Paardenhouderij LelystadThe Netherlands
G.M. Henry M.A. Delorenzo D.K. Beede H.H. Vanhorn C.B. Moss W.G. Boggess (1995) ArticleTitleDetermining optimal nutrient management strategies for dairy farms J. Dairy Sci. 78 693–703 Occurrence Handle10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(95)76681-4 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXkslSmtbw%3D
J.F.M. Huijsmans J.M.G. Hol M.M.W.B. Hendriks (2001) ArticleTitleEffect of application techniquemanure characteristics, weather and field conditions on ammonia volatilization from manure applied to grassland Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 49 323–342
IPCC 1997. Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeGenevaSwitzerland.
B. Kurmies (1949) ArticleTitleHumusbestimmung nach dem Bichromaatverfahren ohne Kaliumjodid Z. Pflanzen. Bodenk. 44 121–125 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaG3cXitFShsg%3D%3D
S.J. Maw C.L. Johnson A.C. Lewis J.B. McQuaid (2002) ArticleTitleA note on the emission of nitrogen oxides from silage in opened bunker silos Environ. Monit. Assess. 74 209–215 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XivVyhs7o%3D
A.R. Mosier J.M. Duxbury J.R. Freney O. Heinemeyer K. Minami D.E. Johnson (1998) ArticleTitleMitigating agricultural emissions of methane Clim. Change 40 39–80 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXmslWgu70%3D
I. Oborn A.C. Edwards E. Witter O. Oenema K. Ivarsson P.J.A. Withers S.I. Nilsson A.R. Stinzing (2003) ArticleTitleElement balances as a tool for sustainable nutrient management: a critical appraisal of their merits and limitations within an agronomic and environmental context Eur. J. Agron. 20 211–225
O. Oenema G. Velthof N. Verdoes P.W.G. Groot Koerkamp G.J. Monteny A. Bannink H.G. Van der Meer K.W. Hoek ParticleVan der (2000) Forfaitaire waarden voor gasvormige stikstofverliezen uit stallen en mestopslagen Alterra Wageningen, The Netherlands
J. Oenema G.J. Koskamp P.J. Galama (2001a) ArticleTitleGuiding commercial pilot farms to bridge the gap between experimental and commercial dairy farms; the project ‘Cows & Opportunities’ Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 49 277–296
O. Oenema G. Velthof P. Kuikman (2001b) ArticleTitleTechnical and policy aspects of strategies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 60 301–315
PR 1997. Handboek melkveehouderij. Praktijkonderzoek RundveeSchapen en Paarden, LelystadThe Netherlands.
R.L.M. Schils (1994) ArticleTitleNitrate losses from grazed grass and grass/clover pastures on clay soil Meststoffen 1994 78–84
R.L.M. Schils H.F.M. Aarts D.W. Bussink J.G. Conijn W.J. Corre A.M. Dam ParticleVan I.E. Hoving H.G. Meer ParticleDeer G. Velthof (2002) Grassland renovation in the Netherlands; agronomic, environmental and economic issues J.G. Conijn G. Velthof F. Taube (Eds) Grassland Resowing and Grass-arable Crop Rotations Plant Research International Wageningen, The Netherlands 9–24
R.L.M. Schils T.J. Boxem C.J. Jagtenberg M.C. Verboon (2000a) ArticleTitleThe performance of a white clover based dairy system in comparison with a grass/fertiliser-N system. II. Animal production, economics and environment Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 48 305–318
R.L.M. Schils T.J. Boxem K. Sikkema G. Andre (2000b) ArticleTitleThe performance of a white clover based dairy system in comparison with a grass/fertiliser-N system. I. Botanical composition and sward utilisation Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 48 291–303
P. Smith D.S. Powlson M.J. Glendining J.U. Smith (1998) Opportunities and limitations for C sequestration in European agricultural soils through changes in management R. Lal J.M. Kimble R.F. Follett B.A. Stewart (Eds) Management of Carbon Sequestration in Soil CRC Press New York 143–152
S.G. Sommer C. Jensen (1994) ArticleTitleAmmonia volatilization from urea and ammoniacal fertilizers surface applied to winter-wheat and grassland Fert. Res. 37 85–92 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXmtVChsLY%3D
J.F. Soussana P. Loiseau N. Vuichard E. Ceschia J. Balesdent T. Chevallier (2004) ArticleTitleCarbon cycling and sequestration opportunities in temperate grasslands Soil Use Manage 20 219–230
J. Spakman ParticleVan M.M.J. Loon ParticleVan R.J.K. Der Auweraert ParticleVan D.J. Gielen J.G.J. Olivier E.A. Zonneveld (2003) Methode voor de berekening van broeikasgasemissies Ministerie van VolksgezondheidRuimtelijke Ordening en Milieu Den Haag, The Netherlands
R.J. Stevens R.J. Laughlin (2002) ArticleTitleCattle slurry applied before fertilizer nitrate lowers nitrous oxide and dinitrogen emissions Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 66 647–652 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XlvVCmt7k%3D Occurrence Handle10.2136/sssaj2002.0647
UNFCCC 1997. Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. www.unfccc.int.
R.J. Unwin T.V. Vellinga 1994 Fertiliser recommendations for intensively managed grassland Proceedings of the 15th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation Wageningen Press, Grassland and Society 590 602
A. Dasselaar ParticleVan R. Pothoven (1994) Energieverbruik in de landbouw; Vergelijk van verschillende bemestingsstrategiën Nutrienten Management Instituut (NMI) Wageningen, The Netherlands
Van Den Pol-Van Dasselaar A. 1998. Methane emissions from grasslands. Ph.D. Thesis. Wageningen University. The Netherlands
H.G. Meer ParticleVan der T. Baan Hofman (1989) Contribution of legumes to yield and nitrogen economy of leys on a biodynamic farm P. Plancquart R. Haggar (Eds) Legumes in Farming Systems EEC Brussels, Belgium 25–36
F.K. Evert ParticleVan H.F. Ten Berge H.G. Meer ParticleVan Der B. Rutgers A.G. Schut J.J. Ketelaars (2003) FARMMIN: Modeling Crop-Livestock Nutrient Flows ASA-CSSA-SSSA Madison, WI
G. Velthof M.H. De Haan G. Holshof A. Van Den Pol-Van Dasselaar P. Kuikman (2000a) Beperking van lachgasemissie uit beweid grasland. Rapport 114.l Alterra Wageningen, The Netherlands 69
G. Velthof M.H. De Haan R.L.M. Schils G.J. Monteny A. Van Den Pol-Van Dasselaar P. Kuikman (2000b) Beperking van lachgasemissie uit bemeste landbouwgronden. Rapport 114.2 Alterra Wageningen, The Netherlands 54
G.L. Velthof O. Oenema (1997) ArticleTitleNitrous oxide emission from dairy farming systems in the Netherlands Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 45 347–360 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXhvVOmug%3D%3D
G.L. Velthof M.L. van Beusichem O. Oenema (1998) ArticleTitleMitigation of nitrous oxide emission from dairy farming systems Environ. Pollut. 102 173–178 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjvVejtQ%3D%3D
L.M. Vleeshouwers A. Verhagen (2002) ArticleTitleCarbon emission and sequestration by agricultural land use: a model study for Europe Global Change Biol. 8 519–530
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schils, R.L.M., Verhagen, A., Aarts, H.F.M. et al. A farm level approach to define successful mitigation strategies for GHG emissions from ruminant livestock systems. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 71, 163–175 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-004-2212-9
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-004-2212-9