Methane Producing Potential of Manure

Improving Emission Estimates in Western Dairy Production Systems

Conducted by USDA-ARS Kimberly, Idaho, this study aims to determine what are accurate methane emissions from manure on western dairies. Dairies in the west are unique due to the drier climate conditions and manure handling practices that influence the rate of methane emissions. The existing models used by EPA and others are based on a limited and outdated dataset. The objectives of this project are to determine an accurate baseline for manure methane potentials, evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, and update existing models