Name
Methane emissions from swine farms in Manitoba
Date & Time
Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Description

Methane emissions from Canadian swine farms are estimated to be >1,700 kilotonnes CO2e/y and account for as much as half of the carbon footprint of pork. Methane originates from manure storage facilities, where conditions are anaerobic. Reducing methane emissions is a priority for the sector, however, mitigation requires accurately understanding baseline emissions, which are currently uncertain in cold climates. This study used a micrometeorological approach to measure on-farm CH4 emissions at swine farms in a major swine producing region (Manitoba) with cold winters and a short warm season. Upwind and downwind methane concentrations were measured using open-path CH4 lasers while wind speed, direction, and turbulence parameters were measured with CSAT3 sonic anemometers. Emission rates were determined every 15 minutes using the WindTrax inverse dispersion model. Emissions have been measured for three years at a farm with a single-cell storage, and one year at a farm with a multi-cell storage, with plans to study more farms in 2024. Emissions from temporary under-barn storage have been measured at one farm. Results show that in the summer, manure temperature was usually lower than air temperature, with the manure temperature at 1-m depth averaging 17°C. Dynamics in multi-cell storage differ from single-cell storage. Findings from the first farm showed lower CH4 conversion factors—from 3 to 11%, depending on the year—than would have been expected on the basis of on emission factors.

Location Name
Classroom - 3110
Full Address
Carleton University - Richcraft Hall
1125 Colonel By Dr
Ottawa ON K1S 5B6
Canada
Session Type
Breakout Session