9‐28‐2011
Introduction
GHG Emissions from Animal Agriculture (EPA 2010)
• Agriculture is responsible for 6.3% of the GHG emissions in the US
Carbon Foot‐print of Poultry Production Farms
Dr. Claudia S. Dunkley
Dept. Poultry Science
University of Georgia
40%
37%
35%
30%
25%
20%
• Of this 6.3%, 53.5% comes from animal agriculture
15%
11.50%
10%
4.40%
5%
0.60%
0%
Beef cattle
Introduction
Dairy cattle
Swine
Poultry
Introduction
Global Warming
Recent findings
Chicken‐ 2.36 kg CO2e/kg of product
at farm gate (Pelletier, 2008)
• Real or imagined?
– There has been an increase in the levels of certain gasses – Impacts of these gases on the climate?
– Knowing the carbon footprint and energy use can help reduce the carbon footprint and improve the bottom line!
Beef‐ 14.8 kg CO2e/kg of product at farm gate (Pelletier et al., 2010)
Pork‐ 3.4‐4.2 kg CO2e/kg of product at farm gate (Pelletier, 2010)
Introduction
Carbon Footprint?
• Your carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of GHGs that are being emitted into the atmosphere because of your activity or product.
• The gasses of particular concern in animal agriculture are;
– CO2
– *CH4
– *N2O
• *They are expressed in carbon equivalents (CO2e)
– CH4:CO2= 25:1 GWP
– N2O:CO2= 298:1 GWP
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• An inventory of the material and energy inputs and emissions associated with each stage of production (Guinee, 2001).
• “Cradle to grave” energy use
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Fertilizer production
Corn/soy production
Transportation of corn/soy
Feed additives manufacturing
Feed additive transportation
Feed production and transportation to production farms
Pullet facility
Breeder facility
Hatchery Grow‐out farms
Transportation to processing plant
Processing
Distribution to retail customers
Consumer….
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9‐28‐2011
Conceptual Farm Model
EMISSIONS
EMISSIONS
Types of Emissions
EMISSIONS
EMISSIONS
• Mechanical
Energy
Energy
Energy
Energy
Day-old Chicks
Pullet Farms
Breeder
Farms
20 wks
pullets
Feed
Eggs
Bedding
Hatchery
Grow-out
Farms
6-8wks
old birds
• Non‐mechanical
– Purchased Electricity
– Mobile machinery
– Stationary machinery
– Enteric fermentation – Manure management
Day old chicks
Bedding
Bedding
Feed
Feed
Manure Management
Emissions:
Fertilizer
Manure Management
Breakers
Emissions:
Fertilizer
Manure Management
Emissions:
Fertilizer
Mechanical
Georgia Study
• Not a LCA study! Boundaries were set at the farm gate. (Information collected is considered the base period).
• A total of 109 farms with 627 houses were tested:
– Broiler‐ 87 farms, 538 houses
– Breeder‐ 15 farms, 55 houses
– Pullet‐ 7 farms, 34 houses
CO2 emissions Assessed
• Utilization of fossil fuels:
1. Purchased electricity‐ (indirect emissions)
2. Propane use in furnaces, incinerators,
3. Diesel use for generators, trucks, tractors etc.
Mechanical
Data Collection and Evaluation
• Survey distributed to growers • Activity data collected based on questions answered from survey, including:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Electricity usage
Propane use
Diesel oil use
Age of house
Construction of house
Number of birds raised each year, etc.
CH4 emissions assessed
• Utilization of fossil fuels:
1. Purchased electricity‐ (indirect emissions) 2. Propane use in furnaces, incinerators,
3. Diesel use for generators, trucks, tractors etc.
• GHG emissions evaluated using IPPC spreadsheets some of which were pre‐populated with emission factors.
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Mechanical
Non‐mechanical
Non‐mechanical CH4 emissions
N2O emissions assessed
• Enteric fermentation:
• Utilization of fossil fuels:
1. Purchased electricity‐ (indirect emissions)
2. Propane use in furnaces, incinerators,
3. Diesel use for generators, trucks, tractors etc.
– CH4 is a part of the normal digestive processes in animals
– Significantly less in birds and other non‐
ruminants than ruminants
• Manure management:
– Anaerobic decomposition of manure produces CH4
Results
Non‐mechanical
Mechanical Emissions
Non‐mechanical CH4 emissions
100%
• ~82% of GHG emitted on breeder farms is from electricity use
90%
• Most of the poultry manure is stored in dry storage under aerobic conditions
80%
70%
60%
CO2equivalent
• ~96% of GHG emitted on broiler and pullet farms is from propane use
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Broiler House
Stationary Combustion
Breeder House
Transportation Fuel
Pullet House
Purchased Electricity
Results
Non‐mechanical
Mechanical Emissions
Non‐mechanical N2O emissions 900
• Avg. broiler house emits ~790 tonne CO2e
800
• Manure Management:
700
600
tonnes CO2e/yr
• Avg. breeder house emits ~35 tonne CO2e
500
400
300
200
• Avg. pullet house emits ~448 tonne CO2e
• CH4 production from animal manure increases with temperature
100
0
Broiler House
Stationary Combustion
Breeder House
Transportation Fuel
Pullet House
– Direct emissions from nitrification and denitrification of the organic nitrogen in the manure and urine
– Indirect emissions from volatization, run‐off and leaching of nitrogen during treatment storage and transportation
– N2O emission will occur in manure that is stored aerobically
Purchased Electricity
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9‐28‐2011
Non‐mechanical
GHG Inventory‐ Broiler House
Non‐mechanical N2O emissions GHG Emissions (metric tonnes)
Emissions Categories
Base Period: 2009
CO2
• N2O emissions are influenced by environmental factors;
CH4
N2 O
CO2e
Scope 1
Mechanical
Mobile Machinery
– Oxygen status
– Temperature
– Moisture content
2.58
0.0004
0.00007
2.58
Stationary Machinery
764.91
0.0606
0.0012
766.783
Total
767.49
0.061
0.00127
769.363
Non‐mechanical
Enteric fermentation
• Mixture of manure and bedding combined with the partial compaction of the bedding creates a condition that favors passive aeration‐ results in uncontrolled nitrification and denitrification
-
-
Manure management
-
0.32
0.1614
Total
-
-
0.32
0.1614
56.1
767.49
0.381
0.16267
825.463
Purchased Electricity
21.52
0.0004
0.0004
21.54
Total Scope 2
21.52
0.0004
0.0004
21.54
Total Scopes
789.01
0.3215
0.16307
847.003
Total Mechanical
767.49
0.061
0.00127
769.363
-
0.32
0.16267
56.1
Total Scope 1
56.1
Scope 2
Total Non‐mechanical
N2O emissions from manure management‐ (EPA 2010)
Broiler House Emissions
30
24.2
21.4
24.5
19
20
20.3
3%
7%
19
2005
15
2007
2009
10
5
2.8 2.8 2.7
91%
2.7 2.7 2.7
0
Dairy Cattle
Beef Cattle
Swine
Poultry
Mechanical
Results
Non‐mechanical
Electricity
GHG Inventory‐ Breeder House
Non‐Mechanical Emissions
GHG Emissions (metric tonnes)
Emissions Categories
Base Period: 2009
CO2
CH4
N2 O
CO2e
Scope 1
Mechanical
60
50
tonnes CO2e/yr
Tg CO2 equivalents
25
Mobile Machinery
50.96
46.49
40
0.001
0.0001
4.66
1.38
0.00011
0.00002
1.39
Total
5.992
0.00111
0.00012
6.05
Non‐mechanical
30
32.78
32.53
20
10
4.612
Stationary Machinery
Enteric fermentation
-
-
-
-
Manure management
-
1.3
0.1165
67.22
Total
-
1.3
0.1165
67.22
5.992
1.30111
0.11662
73.27
Purchased Electricity
29.13
0.0005
0.0005
29.292
Total Scope 2
29.13
0.0005
0.0005
29.292
Total Scopes
35.122
1.30161
0.11712
102.562
Total Mechanical
5.992
0.00111
0.0002
6.05
-
1.3
0.1165
67.22
Total Scope 1
15.25
8
0
Broiler Houses
Breeder Houses
N2O emissions
Pullet Houses
CH4 Emissions
Scope 2
Total Non‐mechanical
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9‐28‐2011
Reducing GHG emissions
Breeder House Emissions
• Reducing energy use will also reduce the amount of GHGs that is emitted
5%
6%
• Reduction must to be done on a farm by farm basis
29%
29%
66%
66%
• Reduce propane use by preventing heat loss;
Mechanical
Non‐mechanical
– Enclose houses that are not solid walls
– Insulate curtain openings, walls and ceiling
Electricity
Broiler Farm
GHG Inventory‐ Pullet House
7%
GHG Emissions (metric tonnes)
Emissions Categories
3%
Base Period: 2009
CO2
CH4
N2 O
CO2e
1.33
0.0002
0.00003
1.344
Scope 1
91%
Mechanical
Mobile Machinery
Stationary Machinery
434.37
0.0014
0.00034
434.506
Total
435.7
0.0016
0.00037
435.85
Non‐mechanical
Enteric fermentation
-
-
-
-
Manure management
-
0.61
0.079
38.79
Total
-
0.61
0.079
38.79
435.7
0.6116
0.080
474.64
Purchased Electricity
12.96
0.0002
0.0002
13.03
Total Scope 2
12.96
0.0002
0.0002
13.03
Total Scopes
448.66
0.6118
0.0802
487.67
Total Mechanical
435.7
0.0016
0.00037
435.85
0
0.61
0.079
38.79
Total Scope 1
Mechanical
Non‐mechanical
Pullet Farm
8% 3%
6%
29%
Scope 2
89%
Total Non‐mechanical
Pullet House Emissions
8%
Electricity
Breeder Farm
Mechanical
Non‐mechanical
66%
Electricity
Mechanical
Non‐mechanical
Electricity
Reducing GHG emissions
• Reducing energy use will also reduce the amount of GHGs that is emitted
3%
• Reduction must to be done on a farm by farm basis
89%
• Reduce propane use by preventing heat loss;
Mechanical
Non‐mechanical
Electricity
– Enclose houses that are not solid walls
– Insulate curtain openings, walls and ceiling
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9‐28‐2011
Emissions based on house age
Three houses with similar age but different type of construction
Total GHG
Age of house in years
2500
1027.26
24
2000
Tonnes CO2e
949.06
20
1027.02
10
1500
1000
647.86
5
500
0.00
200.00
400.00
600.00
800.00
1000.00
1200.00
0
Combination sides
Tonnes CO2 equivalents
Diesel
Four farms with similar age and structure houses
kwh
Propane
Solid walled
Total GHG
Reducing GHG emissions
• Use the attic area as a solar energy collector;
1800
– Install attic outlets
1600
1400
• Use more efficient equipment such as;
1200
Tonnes CO2e
Curtain sided
– Fans, generators, lighting, heaters
1000
800
600
• Maintenance of equipment;
400
– Clean fans
– Clean outlets/inlets
– Change fan belts as needed
200
0
House 1
House 2
Diesel
kwh
House 3
Propane
House 4
Total GHG
Reducing GHG emissions
• Reducing energy use will also reduce the amount of GHGs that is emitted
• Reduction must to be done on a farm by farm basis
• Reduce propane use by preventing heat loss;
– Enclose houses that are not solid walls
– Insulate curtain openings, walls and ceiling
Reducing GHG emissions‐ Manure Management
• CH4
– Manure handled as a solid or spread on land, decompose aerobically and produce little or no CH4
– Proper management of bedding (indoor) and manure heaps (in storage sheds) will reduce GHG emissions • Avoid prolonged litter storage to reduce CH4 emissions
• Minimize compaction
• Frequent addition of litter
• Keep litter dry and covered from the elements
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9‐28‐2011
Reducing GHG emissions‐ Manure Management
• N2 O
– Add nitrification inhibitors to reduce NH3
emissions
– Addition of high carbon substrate to manure heaps
– Compaction of manure heap to reduce aeration
Reducing GHG emissions‐ Manure Management
Alternative Energy Sources
• These have also been considered;
– Wind: not accessible to all, not practical in all areas
– Biomass: has a low power density, could not be used to power farm, could be used to heat houses
Questions?
• N2O emission from poultry litter is higher than synthetic fertilizer…but,
• Applying poultry litter to agricultural fields off‐
sets 10% energy use and 1% GHG emissions
Alternative Energy Sources
– Solar: considered to be expensive to implement with a high cost of recovery
– Solar wall can be used to generate electricity and heat and possibly cool houses
– $39,000 – $45,000 for a 500X50 sq. ft. house
– Can be retrofitted to older houses
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