Phase 1: Improving Emission Estimates in Western Dairy Production Systems
Conducted by USDA-ARS Kimberly, Idaho, this phase aimed to determine 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 The existing models used by EPA and others are based on a limited and outdated dataset.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 were to determine an accurate baseline for fresh manure methane potentials and update existing models.
Phase 2: Determining the Methane Impacts of Manure Handling Practices
Conducted by USDA-ARS Kimberly, Idaho, phase 2 of the study evaluated manure methane potential as it was treated by common manure handling practices. The goal was to determine the effect of each practice and the impacts to methane production, with the hopes to identify key areas on the farm for mitigation.
Phase 3: Manure Inoculums and Methane Variability
Conducted by USDA-ARS Kimberly, Idaho, phase 3 of the study looked to answer the question of inoculum and the microbial impact of methane emissions from manure. As the study evolved, so did the question about the microbial influence and whether or not it was the primary driver of emissions. This phase collected different inoculums and applied them to several manures to measure the impact on methane production.
Phase 3.5: Lagoon Acidification
Conducted by USDA-ARS Kimberly, Idaho, phase 3.5 arose from the audience of dairymen when listening to the presentation of the previous phases. The question looking to be answered inquires about the consequences of treating the manure storage with an acid to temporarily diminish the microbial impact on the storage emissions. Methane emissions will be measured before and after a single storage acidification treatment, with the potential of other scenarios in the future.