Management Practices to Consider For Sustainability
- 5 juin 2023
This past March 2024, Lactanet organized a series of 3 sustainability webinars funded by the Dairy Farmers of Canada. Many management practices for sustainability were discussed, a few of which are summarized below. Keep reading to learn more about land management, feed production, and manure management, as well as an overview of the webinars’ guest farmers!
LAND MANAGEMENT
There are a variety of land management practices that increase carbon in soils (carbon sequestration), reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These practices can also increase biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce erosion. The table below lists best management practices that farmers can consider adopting to improve carbon capture in soils:
Don’t forget that soil and inputs analysis data is the key first step to provide insight to your own situation. Your agro-environmental advisors can help use this information to provide advice on field and land management that fits your needs.
FEED PRODUCTION
Selection of manure storage and management systems can reduce ammonia (NH3) emissions in addition to CH4 and nitrous oxide (N2O). Compared to liquid manure storage without any crust/cover, other systems and practices are possible to reduce GHG reductions. The use of solid storage, composting, and anerobic digestion was shown to reduce GHG by 15-25%. Liquid slurry with either a natural crust cover or other cover is the most cost-effective option when the whole farm operation is considered, and it can reduce GHG by 5-10%, compared to no cover. When using this type of system, the acidification of liquid manure to reduce NH3 emissions during storage and application is also possible. Finally, emptying out the liquid manure tank once (e.g., in spring) or twice a year, can reduce CH4 by 5-40%, depending on the amount removed.
MANURE MANAGEMENT
Selection of manure storage and management systems can reduce ammonia (NH3) emissions in addition to CH4 and nitrous oxide (N2O). Compared to liquid manure storage without any crust/cover, other systems and practices are possible to reduce GHG reductions. The use of solid storage, composting, and anerobic digestion was shown to reduce GHG by 15-25%. Liquid slurry with either a natural crust cover or other cover is the most cost-effective option when the whole farm operation is considered, and it can reduce GHG by 5-10%, compared to no cover. When using this type of system, the acidification of liquid manure to reduce NH3 emissions during storage and application is also possible. Finally, emptying out the liquid manure tank once (e.g., in spring) or twice a year, can reduce CH4 by 5-40%, depending on the amount removed.
GUEST FARMERS
This article was developed by Lactanet and was brought to you thanks to Dairy Farmers of Canada funding, through the National Dairy Knowledge Transfer Project.
