Greenhouse gas emissions from dairy open lot and manure stockpile in northern China: A case study

ABSTRACT The open lots and manure stockpiles of dairy farm are major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in typical dairy cow housing and manure management system in China. GHG (CO2, CH4 and N2O) emissions from the ground level of brick-paved open lots and uncovered manure stockpiles were estimated according to the field measurements of a typical dairy farm in Beijing by closed chambers in four consecutive seasons. Location variation and manure removal strategy impacts were assessed on GHG emissions from the open lots. Estimated CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions from the ground level of the open lots were 137.5±64.7 kg hd-1 yr-1, 0.45±0.21 kg hd-1 yr-1 and 0.13±0.08 kg hd-1 yr-1, respectively. There were remarkable location variations of GHG emissions from different zones (cubicle zone vs. aisle zone) of the open lot. However, the emissions from the whole open lot were less affected by the locations. After manure removal, lower CH4 but higher N2O emitted from the open lot. Estimated CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions from stockpile with a stacking height of 55±12 cm were 858.9±375.8 kg hd-1 yr-1, 8.5±5.4 kg hd-1 yr-1 and 2.3±1.1 kg hd-1 yr-1, respectively. In situ storage duration, which estimated by manure volatile solid contents (VS), would affect GHG emissions from stockpiles. Much higher N2O was emitted from stockpiles in summer due to longer manure storage. Implications: This study deals with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from open lots and stockpiles. It’s an increasing area of concern in some livestock producing countries. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology is commonly used for estimation of national GHG emission inventories. There is a shortage of on-farm information to evaluate the accuracy of these equations and default emission factors. This work provides valuable information for improving accounting practices within China or for similar manure management practice in other countries.