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ISSN 1681-4789 ISSN 1977-0375

Methodologies & Working papers

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

2011 edition

Methodologies and Working papers

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

20 11 edition

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More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://europa.eu). Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2011 ISBN 978-92-79-22088-3 ISSN 1977-0375 doi:10.2785/21209 Cat. No KS-RA-11-024-EN-N Theme: Agriculture and fisheries Collection: Methodologies & Working papers European Union, 2011 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances
This document is the result of the DireDate project's task 3. DireDate stands for 'Direct and indirect data needs linked to the farms for agri-environmental indicators'. The DireDate project is a study financed by Eurostat, European Commission, and undertaken by a consortium led by ALTERRA (NL) (Service Contract 40701.2009.001-2009.354). The general objective of DireDate is to create a framework for setting up a sustainable system for collecting a set of data from farmers and other sources that will serve primarily European and national statisticians for creating the agreed 28 agri-environmental indicators (AEIs) and thus serve policy makers, but as well agricultural and environmental researchers, observers of climate change and other environmental issues linked to agriculture.

Authors and affiliation


Barbara Amon, Nicholas Hutchings Finn P. Vinther Per K. Nielsen Hanne D. Poulsen Ib S. Kristensen Stefan Pietrzak

Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Wien, Austria

Department of Agro-ecology and Environment University of Aarhus Denmark

Institute for Land Reclamation and Grassland Farming IMUZ Falenty, Poland

Editors
Johan Selenius, Ludivine Baudouin, Anne Miek Kremer - Eurostat

The views expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission and/or of the institutions or countries in which authors work. Neither the European Commission nor authors are responsible for the use that may be made of the information contained in this document.

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

Table of Contents

Authors and affiliation.................................................................................................................... 3 Editors ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 4 1 Summary................................................................................................................................. 6 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions ................................................................ 7 Nitrogen and phosphorus balances ........................................................................... 8 Data needs and data collection ................................................................................. 9 Conclusions and Recommendations ....................................................................... 12 1.4.1 1.4.2 1.4.3 1.4.4 2 3 Methodologies............................................................................................. 12 Importance of coefficients........................................................................... 12 Detailed procedures needed for emission abatement strategies ............... 12 Data collection ............................................................................................ 13

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 14 Data requirements in relation to emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia................. 15 3.1 3.2 3.3 Aim ........................................................................................................................... 15 General .................................................................................................................... 15 Identifying cost-effective abatement measures ....................................................... 16

Analysis of data necessary to estimate emissions of greenhouse gases and CLTRP compounds from manure management................................................................................ 18 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Basic Data................................................................................................................ 18 CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation ................................................................ 19 CH4 emissions from manure management.............................................................. 20 N2O from manure management............................................................................... 22 N2O from agricultural soils ....................................................................................... 23 NH3 emissions from manure management.............................................................. 23 Data requirements to estimate NH3 and GHG emissions........................................ 24 4.7.1 4.7.2 Data requirements ...................................................................................... 24 Data collection ............................................................................................ 27

Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances ...................................................... 31

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

5.1 5.2

General .................................................................................................................... 31 Methodologies related to nitrogen ........................................................................... 33 5.2.1 5.2.2 5.2.3 5.2.4 5.2.5 5.2.6 5.2.7 Farm gate nitrogen balance........................................................................ 33 Farm nitrogen balance................................................................................ 33 Gross nitrogen balance............................................................................... 34 Soil nitrogen balance .................................................................................. 35 Changes in soil nitrogen storage ................................................................ 36 Choice of balance ....................................................................................... 36 Revision of methodologies.......................................................................... 37

5.3

Data requirements for N and P balances ................................................................ 38 5.3.1 5.3.2 5.3.3 Farm nitrogen balance................................................................................ 38 Soil nitrogen balances ................................................................................ 40 Phosphate balances ................................................................................... 41

Coefficients related to emissions of GHG, ammonia and N balances.................................. 45 6.1 6.2 Gaseous emission coefficients ................................................................................ 45 Nitrogen excretion.................................................................................................... 45 6.2.1 6.2.2 6.2.3 6.3 Estimating nitrogen retained in animal products......................................... 46 Estimating nitrogen consumed in feed ....................................................... 46 Calculating nitrogen excretion .................................................................... 47

Quality control of coefficients................................................................................... 47 6.3.1 6.3.2 Nitrogen excretion....................................................................................... 47 Crop production .......................................................................................... 49

Sampling strategy ................................................................................................................. 50 7.1 7.2 Disaggregation of emissions of GHG and NH3, and of N balances ........................ 50 Stratified sampling strategy ..................................................................................... 50

Conclusions and recommendations...................................................................................... 52

References .................................................................................................................................. 53 Annex: Consolidated list ........................................................................................................... 55 Glossary ...................................................................................................................................... 59

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

Summary

1 Summary
Agriculture has relatively large shares in the total emissions of ammonia (NH3) and the greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere. These gases have also relatively large ecological impacts, including (e.g. Sutton et al., 2011): A decline in human health, due to NH3 induced formation of particle matter (PM2.5) and smog; Plant damage through high NH3 concentrations in air; A decrease in species diversity of natural areas due to N enrichment through atmospheric deposition of NH3; Acidification of soils because of deposition of NH3; Global warming because of emission of CH4 and N2O; and Stratospheric ozone destruction due to N2O Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are the main crop growth limiting nutrients in agriculture. Losses of N and P into the wider environment have major ecological impact, including the abovementioned impacts, and Pollution of ground water and drinking water due to nitrate leaching; Eutrophication of surface waters due to N P enrichment, leading to excess and possibly toxic algal blooms and a decrease in faunal and floristic species diversity. Moreover, the production of N fertilizers is energy-intensive and accompanied by large CO2 emissions. Phosphorus fertilizers are produced from scarce rock phosphate resources, which will be depleted within decades unless appropriate measures are taken. Hence, N and P balances are key agri-environmental indicators. There are various diffuse sources of NH3, CH4 and N2O in agriculture. Estimating these sources accurately is not without difficulty. Also, N and P balances of agricultural systems are not easy to assess. Because of the importance and complexities involved in the accounting of ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions, and of N and P balances of agricultural systems, a special task (Task 3) of DireDate related to analysing the methodologies for calculating NH3, CH4, N2O emissions and N and P balances. Particular emphasis was given to the coefficients used in the calculations and the underlying data needs, and to identify best practices for these calculations, based on available scientific research. The purpose of this Report is to briefly summarize the results of Task 3 of the DireDate Project. The objective of Task 3 is: To analyze the methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emission and nutrient balances (nitrogen and phosphorus), with particular stress on the coefficients used in the calculations and the underlying data needs, and To identify best practices for these coefficient calculations, based on available scientific research.

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

Summary

1.1 Greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions


Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture occur from a number of sources. Dominant sources of methane (CH4) are enteric fermentation, manure management and wetlands, including paddy rice fields (Figure 1). Direct sources of nitrous oxide (N2O) are manure management and agricultural soils. Indirect sources of N2O are the emission of ammonia (NH3) and the leaching of nitrate (NO3) from agriculture (Figure 1).

Figure S1: Schematic representations of the main sources of NH3, CH4, and N2O emissions in agricultural systems

Emissions of greenhouse gases are within the scope of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) whereas those of ammonia are within the scope of the UN Convention on LongRange Transboundary Air Pollution (CLTRP). Guidance on the methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions is provided in the IPCC Guidelines (the Guidelines) and the EMEP/EEA Air Pollution Emission Inventory Guidebook (the Guidebook) respectively. The trend seen within both UNFCCC and CLRTP is for emission limits to be progressively reduced over time. For both greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, agriculture represents a major source. When faced with the need to reduce emissions, countries are usually faced with a choice between a number of different abatement measures. The implementation of abatement measures will often result in an increased cost to agriculture and to the environmental authority that must monitor compliance. Identifying the most cost-effective abatement measures for agriculture requires a range of activity data to be collected. Emissions are estimated by multiplying activity data with emission factors. Compiling the national inventory therefore comprises two main steps: (i) obtaining national activity data and (ii) choosing emission factors (either default or country specific emission factors). Agricultural emissions strongly depend on the animal housing, and on the manure management system (MMS) distribution. These data are a mandatory pre-requisite for accurate emission estimates, with a low range of uncertainty. The impact of mitigation measures on the national emissions reported under UNFCCC and CLRTP must be documented and this is only possible if representative data on the MMS distribution are available. A lack of these data leads to two major disadvantages:

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

Summary

1. Country-specific values can only to a small extent be integrated in the national emission inventory. Major parts of the inventory must be set up with default values that misrepresent the processes typically found in the respective country. 2. Due to the lack of activity data, the effect of mitigation measures cannot be included in the national emission inventory.

1.2 Nitrogen and phosphorus balances


The gross nitrogen and phosphorus balances provide holistic indicators of the related environmental pressure exerted by agriculture. For N, significant losses occur to the atmosphere in the form of ammonia, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide (NO) and dinitrogen (N2). Ammonia, nitrous oxide and nitric oxide are pollutants, whereas the emission of dinitrogen reduces the effectiveness of manure and fertilisers and the fertility of soils. Nitrogen is lost to aquatic environments in the form of nitrate, ammonium and dissolved organic N, all of which can lead to pollution and all of which reduce the fertility of the soil. The nitrogen flows and losses in agricultural systems are schematically shown in Figure 2. Unlike greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, countries are not required to report N and P balances for agriculture as part of any international conventions. As a consequence, there is no organisation equivalent to the IPCC or UNECE who has responsibility for standardising and improving the methodology to calculate such balances. However, OECD has established a de facto standard for gross N balances, and the soil N balance calculated by the CAPRI model has gained acceptance in European policymaking. Furthermore, the Task Force on Reactive Nitrogen (TFRN), established under CLRTP, is currently establishing national N balances that include agriculture. As an organisation established within an international convention and dedicated specifically to N, we consider that that in the long term, the TFRN is the appropriate organisation to standardize and improve the methodology related to N balances. We note, however, that while the scientific community is strongly represented in the TFRN, the number of statisticians is low. We would therefore encourage representatives of national statistical bureau to become more involved in the work of this organisation.

Figure S2: Schematic representations of the main nitrogen flows and losses in agricultural systems.

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

Summary

1.3 Data needs and data collection


The data needs for calculating NH3, CH4, N2O emissions and N and P balances are relatively large, especially for large emissions sources, because of the required accuracy for estimates of large sources. Currently, these data are not always available in Member States. Based on experiences in various countries, it is suggested that farm structure surveys should be carried out every five years for collecting information about housing systems, manure storage systems and manure application techniques. Table 1 presents the list of data that should be collected. Table 1 distinguishes the following main NH3, CH4 and N2O emissions sources: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. housing (cattle, pigs, and poultry), water management, slurry storage and farmyard manure (FYM) storage systems, slurry and farmyard manure application techniques, and the diets of the animals.

Table 1 qualifies data requirements into optimum and minimum data collection requirements. Activity data listed under minimum requirement must be collected, because without these data, a proper inventory reporting is not possible. The effect of mitigation measures cannot be shown in the inventory and the cost effectiveness of mitigation measures cannot be assessed. Activity data listed under optimum requirement should be collected for more accurately estimating inventories. They offer more possibilities for country-specific and cost-effective mitigation measures and enable the assessment of environmental impacts of farm management practices. For most of these data, the additional effort for collecting them is small and the additional effect is large.

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

Summary

Table S1: Data to be collected through surveys at farm level


Activity data collection Liquid / solid system Tied / loose housing Grazing Reasoning EF* differ between both systems, system has great influence on subsequent losses Necessary for estimation a consistent N flow, necessary for NH3 and N2O emission estimates, IPCC requires data on grazing Housing cattle optimum requirement Subcategory of housing systems prevalent in the country Floor system Yard Housing pigs - minimum requirement Liquid / solid system EF differ between both systems, system has great influence on subsequent losses Housing pigs optimum requirement Subcategory of housing systems prevalent in the country Floor system Yard Air scrubber Housing poultry - minimum requirement Housing system Manure treatment Drinkers Frequency of manure removal from the house Considerable differences in EF; easy to answer for the farmer Housing poultry - optimum requirement Considerable differences in emissions; easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures Considerable differences in emissions; easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures Considerable differences in emissions; easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures

Housing cattle - minimum requirement

Water management optimum requirement Cleaning of the house, water addition to slurry Diluted slurry emits less NH3 Slurry storage - minimum requirement Slurry store cover Great influence on NH3 emissions; cost effective mitigation measure; likely to become mandatory in the future Slurry storage - optimum requirement Store size Slurry treatment Slurry storage during warm and cold season Considerable differences in emissions; Easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures

FYM storage - optimum requirement Size of the store and duration of storage FYM treatment Direct FYM application Duration of FYM storage Cover of FYM stores Considerable differences in emissions; easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures

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Summary

Activity data collection

Reasoning NH3 emissions after slurry application are by far the largest contributors to total NH3 emissions. Emissions can be effectively abated by low emission application techniques. Some countries give subsidies for low emission application techniques. Environmental effect of these subsidies does not show up if activity data are unavailable. Differences in EF Considerable differences in emissions; easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures; esp. timing and amount of application are low cost or even no cost mitigation measures. They will only show up in the inventory if activity data are available. Differences in EF Drastically reduces NH3 emissions; only measure available to reduce NH3 emissions after FYM application.

Slurry application - minimum requirement

Application technology

Application to grassland or arable land Timing and amount of application

Slurry application optimum requirement

Incorporation after application

FYM application - minimum requirement Application to grassland or arable land Incorporation after application

Animal diet optimum requirement Important influence on N excretion and CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation; information will greatly help to improve national defaults on CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation, N and VS excretion; all mitigation measures set at the beginning of the chain will have the largest potential to reduce emissions Important influence on N and VS excretion; information will greatly help to improve national defaults N and VS excretion; all mitigation measures set at the beginning of the chain will have the largest potential to reduce emissions One of the most effective measures to reduce N emissions from pig manure; measure can be implemented a low or no costs; farmers might even gain by reducing N content in the pig diets. Farm-scale data - minimum requirements Number of livestock present, with major livestock categories identified separately Import of N fertiliser Import of protein supplements Import of energy supplements Export of protein-rich cereals Export of other cereals Farm-scale data -optimum requirements Import of animal manure Import of other organic manure Import of bedding material Export of animal manure Export of straw
* Emission Factors

Components of cattle diet

Components of pig diet

Phase feeding for pigs

Required for calculating NH3 and N2O emissions and for calculating or checking N and P balances Required for calculating NH3 emission and N balances

Required for calculating or checking N and P balances

These data enable a more accurate calculation of N and P balances and are necessary if N and P balances are to be disaggregated below the national scale.

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Summary

1.4 Conclusions and Recommendations


1.4.1 Methodologies

The methodologies for calculation of greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions are enshrined in international law, so are not for discussion. In nearly all European states, agriculture is defined as a key source with regards to greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions. As such, Member States are obliged to use a Tier 2 methodology for inventory reporting. Tier 2 methodologies require data that are both detailed and respect the relationships between emission sources. These data can only be collected by sampling at the farm scale. The methodologies for calculating N balances are not enshrined in international law. The OECD/EUROSTAT gross N balance represents the difference between the inputs and outputs of N to agriculture, divided by the land area occupied. As such, it is equivalent to a farm N balance and represents a holistic indicator of the potential environmental impact. The current methodology requires the estimation of the input of N by livestock excretion and the output of N in crop products used by livestock on the same farm, both of which are difficult to obtain. Since there are no significant gaseous N emissions from the animals themselves, these inputs and outputs could be replaced by the N in imported animal feed and the N exported in animal products, where these can be estimated with greater accuracy. The impact of agricultural N on the aquatic environment is likely to be more closely related to a soil N balance than to a farm N balance. When calculating a soil N balance, it is recommended to use the country-specific N excretion values reported under UNFCCC and the Tier 2 methodology of the EMEP/EEA Air Pollutant Emission Inventory Guidebook for calculating the gaseous emissions of N in animal housing and manure storage, and after field application of manure or fertiliser.

1.4.2

Importance of coefficients

Obtaining accurate values for the coefficients used in calculating emissions or nutrient balances is essential. The default values provided in the IPCC Guidelines and the EMEP/EEA Guidebook are intended to be reasonable estimates for the specified geographic area. These default values often disguise a wide geographic variation in actual values, either due to variations in climate or to regional variations in agricultural practices. In addition, the default values presented in the various guidance documents generally relate to situations where no abatement measures have been implemented. Member States are encouraged to use nationally or regionally appropriate values of the coefficients. It is good practice to support the use of these coefficients with empirical measurements. The consequences of relatively small errors in coefficients can be significant. It is important that the source of the coefficients used is documented. Where default values are used, the source should be indicated. The value of some coefficients varies with agricultural practice. For example, the emission of ammonia following field application of animal manure depends on the manure application method used. The coefficients may need to be updated periodically to take account of significant changes in agricultural practices.

1.4.3

Detailed procedures needed for emission abatement strategies

The trend seen within both UNFCCC and CLRTP is for emission limits to be progressively reduced over time. For both greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, agriculture represents a major source. As noted

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Summary

above, for implementing abatement measures the use of Tier 3 methodologies is generally recommended. The implementation of abatement measures will often result in an increased cost to agriculture and environmental authority that must monitor compliance. Identifying the most cost-effective abatement measures for agriculture usually requires data that exceeds that which is necessary to support a Tier 2 approach for calculating emissions. This is because the complex and very varied nature of agriculture results in large differences in the abatement measures that are available and their associated costs.

1.4.4

Data collection

Agricultural emissions strongly depend on the animal housing, and on the manure management system distribution. These data are a mandatory pre-requisite for accurate emission estimates that with a low range of uncertainty. The impact of mitigation measures on the national emissions reported under UNFCCC and CLRTP must be documented and this is only possible if representative data on the manure management system are available. It is recommended to collect activity data via surveys at farm level every five years. Development of cost-effective mitigation measures relating to greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions or nitrate leaching require relational statistics that can only be obtained by a farmer surveys. Since farm management of nutrients tend to vary systematically with farm type (cattle, pig etc) and size, such surveys can be usefully stratified according to farm type and size. Some European countries have already collected activity data at farm level. The data surveys were carried out with great success and the national inventories could be improved. Country specific mitigation options and potentials were identified. It was found that the only way forward towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly, yet at the same time economically viable, agriculture was to gain better knowledge of farm management practices. Only then can practically feasible, efficient and economic mitigation measures be proposed and implemented.

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Introduction

2 Introduction
Agriculture exerts various effects on the environment. These effects depend on both the agricultural activities and the environmental conditions. Agriculture in the European Union (EU) is highly diverse and also dynamic, as agriculture responds to changes in markets, technological developments and governmental policy. As a consequence14, effects of agriculture on the environment are spatially diverse and change over time. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Rural Development and Environmental Regulations and Directives of the EU have a strong influence on agriculture and its effects on the environment. The general objectives of these policies are to making EU agriculture more productive, competitive and environmental sound, whilst safeguarding the livelihoods and natural values of rural areas. Member States of the EU are required to report regularly to the European Commission on the effectiveness of the aforementioned policies. Agri-environmental indicators (AEIs) increasingly play a role in assessing the effectiveness of agri-environmental policy measures. At present much data and information is collected by Member States as input for the agreed 28 agrienvironmental indicators (AEIs). Each AEI consists of one or more parameters/data/coefficients that together provide the AEI. The AEIs are supposed to reflect the state or trend of a certain agrienvironmental variable. However, at present agricultural statistics mainly focus on economic and production issues and less on agri-environmental issues. Consequently, agricultural statistics are used, or modified towards, the objectives of the AEIs. The usefulness of this practice depends on the georeference of the data (Does the data reflect spatially explicit activities/trends?), geo-physical setting of the farm (Does the data reflect differences in farm strategies?) and continuity of data collection (Is the data collected in a consistent and systematic monitoring protocol?). The general objective of the service contract DireDate is to create a framework for setting up a sustainable system for collecting a set of data from farmers and other sources that will serve primarily European and national statisticians for creating the agreed 28 agri-environmental indicators and thus serve policy makers, but as well agricultural and environmental researchers, observers of climate change and other environmental issues linked to agriculture. DireDate is carried out by a consortium of 5 research institutions from 5 Member States and has 9 different tasks. The objective of task 3 is to To analyze the methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emission and nutrient balances (nitrogen and phosphorus), with particular stress on the coefficients used in the calculations and the underlying data needs, and To identify best practices for these coefficient calculations, based on available scientific research.

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Data requirements in relation to emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia

3 Data requirements in relation to emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia

3.1 Aim
To develop a list of data needed to calculate accurate emissions and identify cost-effective abatement measures.

3.2 General
Emissions of greenhouse gases are within the scope of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) whereas those of ammonia are within the scope of the UN Convention on LongRange Transboundary Air Pollution (CLTRP). Guidance on the methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions is provided in the IPCC Guidelines (the Guidelines) and the EMEP/EEA Air Pollution Emission Inventory Guidebook (the Guidebook) respectively. Following the recent revision of the Guidebook, both the Guidelines and Guidebook use a Tier approach. In this approach, minor emission sources may be calculated using the simple Tier 1 methodologies whereas more important (key) sources should as a minimum be calculated using the more detailed Tier 2 methodologies. Reporting bodies are encouraged to use more detailed methodologies than the Tier 2 approach (Tier 3) if possible and if this would result in more accurate reporting. There is a difference in the definition of Tier 2 and Tier between the Guidebook and the IPCC Guidelines. The Tier 2 methodology of the IPCC guidelines has a level of detail that allows to show the effect of some mitigation options (e.g. shift in manure management systems, biogas production). Whereas the Guidebook requires a Tier 3 approach if the effect of mitigation measures other than the reduction of livestock numbers is to be shown. Although data collection to support Tier 3 methodologies will usually be more expensive than to support the Tier 2 alternatives, the overall cost to society may be lower. This is because the explicit inclusion of abatement measures in the calculation of emissions nearly always requires the use of a Tier 3 methodology. For example, using a Tier 2 methodology under the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution, the emissions from livestock are calculated by multiplying the annual average population by a default emission factor. If a country to the conventions chooses to use a Tier 2 methodology for a particular pollutant, the only abatement measure available is to reduce the population of livestock. Alternatively, the country could choose to implement technical abatement measures that would justify using lower emission factors than the defaults stipulated in the Tier 2 methodology (i.e. they would use a Tier 3 methodology). The country might well find that the combined cost to society of implementing abatement measures and of increasing data collection to support a Tier 3 methodology is lower than the cost of reducing livestock numbers. Tier 3 methodology does not necessarily imply the application of highly complicated models. A Tier 3

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Data requirements in relation to emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia

approach is the only possibility to show the reduction of emissions through country specific abatement technologies. In order to encourage more environmentally friendly and sustainable ways of farming, the application of Tier 3 approaches is strongly recommended. There is no restriction on the form of Tier 3, provided it can supply estimates that can be demonstrated to be more accurate than Tier 2. If data are available, emission calculations may be made for a greater number of livestock categories than listed under the Tier 2 approach. Mass balance models developed by the reporting country may be used. A Tier 3 method might also utilize the calculation procedure outlined under Tier 2, but with the use of country-specific EFs or the inclusion of abatement measures. The effect of some abatement measures can be adequately described using a reduction factor i.e. proportional reduction in emission compared with the unabated situation. Tier 3 methods must be well documented to clearly describe estimation procedures and will need to be accompanied by supporting literature.

3.3 Identifying cost-effective abatement measures


The trend seen within both UNFCCC and CLRTP is for emission limits to be progressively reduced over time. For both greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, agriculture represents a major source. As noted above, for implementing abatement measures the use of Tier 3 methodologies is generally recommended. The implementation of abatement measures will often result in an increased cost to agriculture and environmental authority that must monitor compliance. When faced with the need to reduce emissions, countries are usually faced with a choice between a number of different abatement measures. The main items to be taken into consideration when assessing the relative costs of different abatement measures are as follows: The capital and maintenance cost to farmers of new equipment or facilities. The cost to farmers of any increased demand for labour. The extent to which other costs can be offset (e.g. fertilizer costs). The costs are regulating authority of additional data collection and reporting requirements. Any positive or negative interactions with other policy measures (e.g. Nitrates Directive, animal welfare legislation). Identifying the most cost-effective abatement measures for agriculture usually requires data that exceeds that which is necessary to support a Tier 2 approach for calculating emissions. This is because the complex and very varied nature of agriculture results in large differences in the abatement measures that are available and their associated costs. This can be illustrated by three examples related to abating ammonia emissions: 1. Non-ruminant livestock (e.g. pigs) are often housed throughout the year. For reasons of welfare and productivity, this housing is usually ventilated using a limited number of fans. Air filtration units can be attached to the ventilation system to remove ammonia. In contrast, ruminant livestock are often housed through all part of the year in open-sided housing, where air filtration is not feasible. Applying slurry to fields by injecting it into the soil is a very effective way of reducing ammonia emissions from this source. However, the technique is not usable on stony soils or on steeply sloping land. The cost of implementing abatement technology depends strongly on the size of farm. Economies of scale mean that the cost of abatement per head of livestock is normally much lower large farms and small ones.

2.

3.

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Data requirements in relation to emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia

The complexity of agriculture and the dependence of costs on a range of interrelated factors means that in order to identify cost-effective abatement measures, it needs to be possible to establish relationships between data e.g. livestock type x housing type x farm size. In addition to assisting in the estimation of abatement costs, the ability to establish relationships between data is necessary to enable knock-on effects of abatement measures to be assessed. For example, applying abatement measures to reduce losses of nitrogen from animal housing, manure storage and from field-applied manure, reduces the cost of applying commercial mineral nitrogen fertiliser.

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Analysis of data necessary to estimate emissions of greenhouse gases

4 Analysis of data necessary to estimate emissions of greenhouse gases and CLTRP compounds from manure management
Agricultural activities contribute to emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia through a variety of processes. Greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from the following agricultural sources have to be calculated: 1. CH4, N2O, and NH3 emissions from domestic livestock 1a. 1b. 1c. 1d. CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation CH4 emissions from manure management N2O emissions from manure management NH3 emissions from manure management

2.

CH4, N2O, and NH3 emissions from agricultural soils (including indirect N2O emissions)

CH4 and N2O emissions from manure management are calculated following the IPCC methodology. NH3 emissions are estimated according to the methodology described in the CORINAIR Emission Inventory Guidebook. Emissions are estimated by multiplying activity data with emission factors. Compiling the national inventory therefore comprises two main steps: 1. 2. Assessment of national activity data Assessment of emission factors either default or country specific emission factors.

4.1 Basic Data


Some basic data are required for most of the emission estimates. Livestock population characterisation. Basic livestock population characterisation is needed for Tier 1 and Tier 2 emission estimates. It comprises information on livestock species and categories, annual population, milk production, and climate. It is of vital importance to use a consistent livestock characterisation across all categories of animal-related emission sources. To ensure consistency across animal-related emission sources, characterisation of livestock subcategories and assessment of annual population is described in the IPCC guidelines. Through the harmonisation between IPCC and CORINAIR guidelines, a consistent livestock population characterisation between the two guidelines was achieved. Data on livestock population can be taken from the national statistics.

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Analysis of data necessary to estimate emissions of greenhouse gases

Milk Production.: Average annual milk production for dairy cows is required. Milk production data are necessary for estimating the CH4 emission factor for enteric fermentation. Data can be taken from the national statistics. Weight: Default emission factors for methane emissions from enteric fermentation are based in the assumptions, that the average weight of a dairy cow in Western Europe is 550 kg (Reference Manual, Table A-I). If country specific data are available, countries are encouraged to use them. Climate: Emission factors are climate dependent. It is thus necessary to consider the climate under which livestock is managed in each country. In the IPCC Guidelines, Reference Manual, chapter 4.2.3, three climate regions are defined in terms of annual average temperature: cool (<15C), temperate (15C 25C), and warm (>25C).

4.2 CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation


A simple Tier 1 method and are more complex Tier 2 method are available to estimate CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation. In most cases, the Tier 2 method is applied for emission estimates from cattle (dairy and non-dairy). CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation of the other livestock categories are mostly calculated with the Tier 1 method as they are of less importance for the whole budget. The IPCC guidelines propose the following formula to estimate CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation:

Emissions [kg yr-1] = (Intake [MJ day-1] * Ym * 365 [days yr-1]) / 55.65 [MJ (kg of CH4)-1]

where: Intake [MJ day-1] Ym = = daily gross energy feed intake methane conversion rate

The feed intake estimates are used in the Tier 2 enteric fermentation emissions estimate, and in the estimates of CH4 and N2O emissions from manure management and direct and indirect N2O emissions.

Feed Intake Estimate: The feed intake of a representative animal in each sub-category is estimated to support the Tier 2 emissions estimates. To support the enteric fermentation Tier 2 method, detailed data requirements and equations are included in the IPCC Guidelines to estimate feed intake. The IPCC guidelines propose the following formula for the calculation of gross energy intake of cattle and sheep:

GE = [(NEm + NEmob. + NEa + NEl + NEw + NEp)/(NEma/DE)] + [(NEg + NEwool ) / (NEga/DE)]} / (DE/100)

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Where: GE = gross energy intake [MJ day-1] net energy required by the animal for maintenance [MJ day-1] net energy due to weight loss (mobilised) [MJ day-1] net energy for animal activity [MJ day-1] net energy for lactation [MJ day-1] net energy for work [MJ day-1] net energy required for pregnancy [MJ day-1] ratio of net energy available in a diet for maintenance to digestible energy consumed net energy needed for growth [MJ day-1] net energy required to produce a year of wool [MJ day-1] ratio of net energy available for growth in a diet to digestible energy consumed digestible energy expressed as a percentage of gross energy

NEm = NEmob. = NEa NE NEw NEp = = = =

NEma/DE= NEg =

NEwool = NEga/DE= DE =

Due to a lack in data availability it is not always possible to estimate gross energy intake following the formula proposed in the IPCC guidelines. In the "IPCC Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (GPG)1" it is stated that for inventory agencies that have well-documented and recognised country-specific methods for estimating GE intake based on animal performance data, it is good practice to use the country-specific methods. So, the alternative to the IPCC methodology is to gain country specific data on feed intake and diet composition.

4.3 CH4 emissions from manure management


The IPCC Guidelines include two tiers to estimate CH4 emissions from livestock manure. The Tier 1 approach is a simplified method that only requires livestock population data by animal category and climate region, in order to estimate emissions. The Tier 2 approach provides a detailed methodology for estimating CH4 emissions from manure management systems, and is encouraged to be used for countries where a particular livestock category represents a significant share of emissions. This method requires detailed information on animal characteristics and the manner in which manure is managed. Using this information, emission factors are developed that are specific to the conditions of the country. Tier 2 methane emissions from manure management are estimated by the following formula:

EFi = VSi * 365 [days yr-1] * Boi * 0.67 [kg m-] * MCFjK * MS% ijK
jK

Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gp/gpgaum.htm

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Where: EFi = VSi = Boi = annual emission factor (kg) for animal type i (e.g. dairy cows) average daily volatile solids excreted (kg) for animal type i maximum methane producing capacity (m per kg of VS) for manure produced by animal type i

MCFjK = methane conversion factors for each manure management system j by climate region K MS% ijK = fraction of animal type i`s manure handled using manure systems j in climate region K

Average daily volatile solids (VS) excretion: The IPCC GPG recommend the following: The best way to obtain average daily VS excretion rates is to use data from country-specific published sources. If average daily VS excretion rates are not available, country-specific VS excretion rates can be estimated from feed intake levels. B0: The preferred method to obtain the maximum methane producing capacity of manure (B0) is to use data from country-specific sources, measured with a standardised method. As up to now no country specific B0 values have been determined, the inventories have to be compiled with IPCC default. Inventory accuracy could be considerably improved, if country specific B0 values were determined. B0 values were derived from limited and highly variable data. They are thus connected with high uncertainties. Methane conversion factor (MCF) Values: Default MCF values are provided in the IPCC Guidelines for different manure management systems and climate zones. As up to now no country specific MCF values are available, the inventories have to be compiled with IPCC default MCF values. This is another weak point, as default MCF values are only laboratory based and have so far not been verified under field conditions. IPCC encourages measurements of emissions from manure management under field conditions in order to improve the basis of emission estimates. Default MCF values are presented in the IPCC Guidelines. The guidelines contain a range of manure management practices and assign specific emission factors to them. In order to apply the Tier 2 approach, it is necessary to have country specific activity data on manure management system distribution. Manure management systems: Data on distribution of manure management systems in each livestock category are important for accurate emission estimates. There are considerable differences in emission factors between manure management systems. Manure management offers promising options for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. It is of crucial importance to have country specific data on manure management system distribution. Only with these data available can the effect of more environmentally friendly and sustainable ways of manure management be shown in national emission inventories. The GPG recommend the following: The best means of obtaining manure management system distribution data is to consult regularly published national statistics. If such statistics are unavailable, the preferred alternative is to conduct an independent survey of manure management system usage.

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4.4 N2O from manure management


All emissions of N2O taking place before the manure is added to soils are to be reported under Manure Management. For the estimation of N2O emissions from manure management systems only a Tier 1 approach is available. The IPCC Guidelines method for estimating N2O emissions from manure management entails multiplying the total amount of N excretion (from all animal species/categories) in each type of manure management system by an emission factor for that type of manure management system. Emissions are then summed over all manure management systems (see formulas below). N excretion per manure management system: Nex(MMS) = (T)[N(T) x Nex(T) x MMS(T)]

Where: Nex(MMS) N(T) Nex(T) MMS(T) T = N excretion per manure management system [kg yr-1] = number of animals of type T in the country = N excretion of animals of type T in the country [kg N animal-1 yr-1] = fraction of Nex(T) that is managed in one of the different distinguished manure management systems for animals of type T in the country = type of animal category

N2O emission per manure management system: N2O(MMS) = [ Nex(MMS) x EF3(MMS)]

Where: N2O(MMS) Nex(MMS) EF3(MMS) = N2O emissions from all manure management systems in the country [kg N yr-1] = N excretion per manure management system [kg yr-1] = N2O emissions factor for an MMS [kg N2O-N per kg of Nex in MMS]

N excretion. N excretion for each livestock category present in a country must be determined. The IPCC guidelines propose default values for N excretion. These default values, however, do not properly reflect country specific conditions. It is desirable to use national N excretion rates in order to reduce uncertainty in the estimates. The IPCC guidelines give tentative default values for N2O emission factors N2O emission factors. from animal waste management systems. The default emission factors were derived from a very limited amount of research and are thus connected with an uncertainty range of 50 % to + 100 %. They are, however, at the moment the best estimates available for the calculation of N2O emissions from AWMS. Manure management systems: The manure management system distribution data used to estimate N2O emissions from manure management are the same as those that were used to estimate CH4 emissions from manure management. It is again of crucial importance to have national data on manure management system distribution.

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4.5 N2O from agricultural soils


Direct N2O emissions are caused by different N-inputs to soils. The IPCC 1996 method for calculating direct N2O emissions from soils is based on the assumption that 1.25% of all nitrogen inputs to agricultural soils are emitted in the form of N2O (expressed as N). In this method, nitrogen inputs are corrected for gaseous losses through volatilization of NH3 and NOx. Nitrogen sources considered are: Synthetic fertilizers (mineral fertilizers and urea) Animal manure collected in animal houses Animal manures on pastures Biological nitrogen fixation through legumes Crop residues remaining on the field after harvest Application of sewage sludge on agricultural soils The nitrogen inputs from all sources are added and the direct N2O emissions from agricultural soils are calculated using the emission factor of 1.25%. This method estimates the total direct N2O emissions, irrespective on type of soils, of land use (e.g. grassland and cropland soils) and of vegetation, irrespective of the nitrogen compounds (e.g. organic, inorganic nitrogen), and irrespective of climatic factors.

4.6 NH3 emissions from manure management


Ammonia emissions from manure management are estimated according to the EMEP/EEA atmospheric emission inventory guidebook. In the Tier 2 methodology, the flow of total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN or mineral N) is followed through the manure management system. The relative volumes of flow through the different pathways are determined by country-specific information on animal husbandry and manure management systems, while the proportion volatilised as ammonia at each stage in the system is treated as a percentage, based on measured values and expert judgement. The detailed methodology requires input data of animal numbers, nitrogen excretion and manure management systems. Total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) content in excreta: The detailed method makes use of the total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) when calculating emissions. The initial share of TAN must be known as well as any transformation rates between organic N and TAN. N excretion by manure management system: N excretion rates and data on manure management system distribution are required. Data needs are harmonised with those described under the sections CH4 emissions and N2O emissions. NH3 emissions from storage: NH3 emission estimates differentiate between emissions from the animal house and emissions from manure stores. NH3 emissions from storage are estimated from the amount of N left in the manure when the manure enters the store. Specific emission factors are available for a range of stores and covers of stores. Mitigation through lower emissions from stores can only be shown if national activity data on manure storage are available. NH3 emissions from manure application: After estimation of NH3 emissions from housing and storage, the remaining N is field applied. Different NH3 emission factors are suggested dependent on the target of land spreading: emissions are thought to be higher on grassland soils than on cropland soils, because

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infiltration of applied animal waste is slower. Specific emission factors are available for a range of technical options of manure application (e.g. band spreading, injection, ploughing in after application). Many of these options are low cost options that can effectively reduce emissions after manure application. Activity data are needed to apply these detailed emission factors and show the effect of sustainable manure application.

4.7 Data requirements to estimate NH3 and GHG emissions


Emissions are estimated by multiplying activity data with emission factors. Compiling the national inventory therefore comprises two main steps: The assessment of national activity data and the assessment of emission factors (either default or country specific emission factors). Agricultural emissions strongly depend on the animal housing, and on the manure management system (MMS) distribution. These data are a mandatory pre-requisite for accurate emission estimates that comprise a low range of uncertainty. Mitigation measures can only show up, if representative data on the MMS distribution are available. A lack of these data leads to two major disadvantages: 1. Country specific values can only to a small extent be integrated in the national emission inventory. Major parts of the inventory must be set up with default values that do not always represent processes typically found in the respective country. 2. Due to the lack in activity data, the effect of mitigation measures can not show up in the national emission inventory.

4.7.1

Data requirements

The data in Tables 1 and 2 below are based on the inputs to the IIASA manure management model, supplemented with items added by Nick Hutchings, Wilfried Winiwarter and Zig Klimont (IIASA). The columns IPCC and UNECE show whether the data are already required to satisfy the reporting demands of the UNFCCC or CLTRP. The items highlighted in red are those that IIASA indicated where necessary for identifying economically optimal emission abatement measures. The data listed in Tables 1 and 2 are required to enable the application of a Tier 2 or Tier 3 methodology for the estimation of CH4, N2O and NH3 emissions. Only with detailed activity data can the emission estimation equations be applied. The investigation of policy options and the documentation of abatement measures that have been implemented will usually require the use of higher Tier methodologies. Higher Tier methodologies require activity data to be reported in greater detail. Data items that need to be reported in greater detail are highlighted in yellow in Table 1. The values for emissions reported under UNFCCC and CLTRP are expressed on an annual basis. However, collecting data that permit emissions to be estimated with a higher temporal resolution may be of value to policymakers of the following reasons: There is evidence to suggest that the damage to certain ecosystems is related to shorter periods of high atmospheric ammonia concentrations, rather than the total annual deposition. The formation of secondary particulates that can damage human health results from an interaction between ammonia and other atmospheric pollutants. The extent to which the seasonal distribution of the emission of ammonia interacts with the seasonal distribution of these other pollutants is therefore of importance. The emission of ammonia and some greenhouse gases from agricultural sources is dependent upon certain meteorological parameters, so knowledge about the seasonal variation in activities related to these emissions permits more accurate reporting.

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Table 1: Data relating to manure management (needed for each livestock category)
Data item N-excretion C-excretion Solid and liquid manure system Time spent grazing Time spent on yards Yard flooring no leachate capture Yard flooring leachate capture Amount of straw added as bedding Direct spreading of manure: Housing: fully-slatted floor Housing: partially slatted floor Housing: tied Housing: loose Housing: mech. Vent. Housing: scrubbers or biofilters Manure separation Manure to anaerobic digester (AD) Supplement added to AD: Food waste Supplement added to AD: Crop residues Supplement added to AD: Whole crops Units kg N yr kg C yr % hours day hours day
-1 -1

IPCC X X X X X

UNECE X

Ease 3 3

Notes National defaults available, more detailed data must be collected VS excretion required

-1

X X X

1 2 2 Ideally include seasonal distribution Ideally include seasonal distribution Ideally indicate the surface covering (concrete, bare soil, woodchips, other) Ideally indicate the surface covering (concrete, bare soil, woodchips, other)

-1

% kg DM head-1 yr-1

2 Percentage of manure that is spread directly from animal housing to land. Ideally include seasonal distribution

% % % % % %

X X X X X X

1 1 1 1 1 1 Percent of manure that is separated into solid and liquid fractions Should be included into UNECE as well

% Mg yr-1 Mg yr-1 Mg yr-1

X X X X

1 2 2 2

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Data item Slurry stored in open tanks Slurry stored in covered tanks Slurry stored in lagoons Slurry stored in underfloor pits Manure stored in manure heaps Manure composted Manure incinerated Liquid manure applied to fields

Units % % % % % % %

IPCC

UNECE X X

Ease 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Notes

X X X X

X X X X X

(X)

Liquid manure = slurry or separated liquid fraction. Ideally include seasonal distribution Solid manure = farmyard manure or separated solid fraction. Ideally include seasonal distribution

Solid manure applied to fields Manure application technique: Broadcast no incorporation Manure application technique: Broadcast incorporation <2hrs Manure application technique: Broadcast incorporation <1 day Manure application technique: bandspread Manure application technique: deep injection Manure application technique: shallow injection
DM = dry matter

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

Deep injection = > 15cm

(X)

Shallow injection = 5-15cm

(X) = for UNECE; data needed to reliably estimate the effect of abatement measures (X) = for soil N balance; data required to calculate manure and nitrogen applied to the soil Ease = ease of data collection (1 = easy, 2 = moderate, 3 = difficult) Green: Data required by UNFCC or CLRTP. These data are a prerequisite for Tier 2 and 3 approaches. Yellow: Data required by UNFCC or CLRTP but which needs to have greater detail to be useful for policymaking. These data are helpful for Tier 3 approaches. However, a Tier 3 approach does not necessarily require all these data. Prioritsation is shown later in this document.

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Table 2: Data related to field emissions


Data item Ammonium nitrate Ammonium sulphate Calcium ammonium nitrate Anhydrous ammonia Urea Nitrogen solutions Ammonium phosphates Organic manure Immediate incorporation of urea Imported material for bedding Crop residue returned to field Crop residue burnt Units Mg N Mg N Mg N Mg N Mg N Mg N Mg N Mg N IPCC X X X X X X X X UNECE X X X X X X X X Ease 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 Notes Application rate required Application rate required Application rate required Application rate required Application rate required Application rate required Application rate required Sewage sludge, municipal compost, application rate required

% MG N Mg DM X

X X

1 2 3 Quarterly resolution needed for arctic environment/albedo effect

Mg DM

(X) = data required to calculate manure and nitrogen applied to the soil Ease = ease of data collection (1 = easy, 2 = moderate, 3 = difficult) Green: Data required by UNFCC or CLRTP. These data are a prerequisite for Tier 2 and 3 approaches Yellow: Data required by UNFCC or CLRTP but which needs to have greater detail to be useful for policymaking . These data are helpful for Tier 3 approaches. However, a Tier 3 approach does not necessarily require all these data. Prioritsation is shown later in this document.

4.7.2

Data collection

Most of the data in Tables 1 and 2 can easily be implemented into a questionnaire to be filled in by farmers. E.g. Austria and Switzerland have already carried out such survey with great success. In Switzerland, the survey DYNAMO was carried out to assess manure management system distribution (Menzi et al. 2003, Reidy & Menzi 2005a, b, Reidy et al. 2008b, Kupper et al. 2010a,b). The data were included into the National Emission Inventory and potentials for abatement options were calculated based on the country specific data on manure management systems (Reidy & Menzi 2005c, 2007, Reidy at al. 2008a, Reidy et al. 2009). In Austria, the survey TIHALO has been carried out on a representative sample of Austrian farms (Amon et al. 2007). The farmers were able to fill in the questionnaire without additional help. A sample of the TIHALO questionnaire is attached to this report (Questionnaire_TIHALO.pdf). The results of the TIHALO survey were included into the Austrian National Emission Inventories (Amon & Hrtenhuber 2008, 2009). Through inclusion of national activity data, inventory uncertainties were reduced. NH3 emissions from animal husbandry were reduced by 7.1 % only by estimating the national inventory with more accurate activity data.

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The REGULATION (EC) No 1166/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 19 November 2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 571/88 (EU 2008) lists in Annex V several characteristics for the survey on agricultural production methods. These characteristics are as well helpful for the setting up of good emission estimated and for the proposal of mitigation measures. The following items have direct influence on the estimation of GHG and NH3 emissions from agricultural activities. They could directly be implemented into a survey on manure management practices as described above. Animal grazing: The level of detail would be sufficient and the questions could easily be answered by the farmers. Animal housing: The level of detail would be sufficient and the questions could easily be answered by the farmers. In addition to the animal house, the survey should include questions on a yard and its utilisation. Manure application: In this section, additional questions would be needed: time of the year, when manure is applied, crop to which manure is applied, manure application technique. Manure storage and treatment: In this section, additional questions would be needed: manure stored during warm and cold season, manure treatment options (biogas, separation, aeration, composting), type of cover (solid, tent, straw, floating covers).

The data requirements described here go in some aspects beyond the data requirements described in the TAPAS report from Belgium (Vervaet et al. 2006). The animal house needs to include a question on yards Manure storage must ask for cover, treatment and storage during warm and cold season Manure application must ask for timing and application technique

Farm structure surveys should be carried out every five years. They should include the items Table 3. Table 3 gives a concise list of items that should be collected at farm level in order to inventory reporting, show the effect of mitigation measures, assess environmental impact management practises and reduce uncertainties in inventory estimates. The data in Table prerequisite for the proposal of cost effective and practical mitigation measures.

listed in improve of farm 3 are a

Table 3 distinguishes emission sources: housing cattle, housing pigs, housing poultry, water management, slurry storage, farmyard manure (FYM) storage, slurry application, farmyard manure (FYM) application and animal diet. Data collection for the emission sources is divided into optimum requirement and minimum requirement. Activity data listed under minimum requirement MUST be collected. Without these data, a proper inventory reporting is not possible. The effect of mitigation measures cannot be shown in the inventory and the cost effectiveness of mitigation measures cannot be assessed. . Activity data listed under optimum requirement SHOULD be collected in order to even more accurately estimate inventories. They offer more possibilities for country specific and cost effective mitigation measures and enable the assessment of environmental impacts of farm management practices. For most of these data, the additional effort for collecting them is small and the additional effect is big.

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Table 3: Data to be collected through surveys at farm level


Activity data collection Reasoning

Housing cattle - minimum requirement Liquid / solid system Tied / loose housing Grazing EF* differ between both systems, system has great influence on subsequent losses Necessary for estimation a consistent N flow, necessary for NH3 and N2O emission estimates, IPCC requires data on grazing Housing cattle optimum requirement Subcategory of housing systems prevalent in the country Floor system Yard Air scrubber Housing pigs - minimum requirement Liquid / solid system EF differ between both systems, system has great influence on subsequent losses Housing pigs optimum requirement Subcategory of housing systems prevalent in the country Floor system Yard Air scrubber Housing poultry - minimum requirement Housing system Manure treatment Drinkers Frequency of manure removal from the house Considerable differences in EF; easy to answer for the farmer Housing poultry - optimum requirement Considerable differences in emissions; easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures Diluted slurry emits less NH3 Great influence on NH3 emissions; cost effective mitigation measure; likely to become mandatory in the future Slurry storage - optimum requirement Store size Slurry treatment Slurry storage during warm and cold season Considerable differences in emissions; Easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures

Considerable differences in emissions; easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures

Considerable differences in emissions; easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures

Water management optimum requirement Cleaning of the house, water addition to slurry Slurry storage - minimum requirement Slurry store cover

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Activity data collection

Reasoning

FYM storage - optimum requirement Size of the store and duration of storage FYM treatment Direct FYM application Duration of FYM storage Cover of FYM stores Slurry application - minimum requirement NH3 emissions after slurry application are by far the largest contributors to total NH3 emissions. Emissions can be effectively abated by low emission application techniques. Some countries give subsidies for low emission application techniques. Environmental effect of these subsidies does not show up if activity data are unavailable. Differences in EF Considerable differences in emissions; easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures; esp. timing and amount of application are low cost or even no cost mitigation measures. They will only show up in the inventory if activity data are available. Considerable differences in emissions; easy to answer for the farmer; necessary for the assessment of mitigation measures

Application technology

Application to grassland or arable land Timing and amount of application

Slurry application optimum requirement

Incorporation after application

FYM application - minimum requirement Application to grassland or arable land Incorporation after application Differences in EF Drastically reduces NH3 emissions; only measure available to reduce NH3 emissions after FYM application. Animal diet optimum requirement Important influence on N excretion and CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation; information will greatly help to improve national defaults on CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation, N and VS excretion; all mitigation measures set at the beginning of the chain will have the largest potential to reduce emissions Important influence on N and VS excretion; information will greatly help to improve national defaults N and VS excretion; all mitigation measures set at the beginning of the chain will have the largest potential to reduce emissions One of the most effective measures to reduce N emissions from pig manure; measure can be implemented a low or no costs; farmers might even gain by reducing N content in the pig diets.

Components of cattle diet

Components of pig diet

Phase feeding for pigs


* Emission Factors

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

5 Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

5.1 General
Unlike the situation for greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, there is currently no international legal framework relating to nitrogen and phosphorus balances. As a consequence, there is no legallyestablished international standard terminology or methodology for these balances. The lack of a standardised terminology has led different authors to refer to the same calculation methodology by different names or to refer to different calculation methodologies by the same name. The terminology used in this report is summarised in Annex Consolidated list. It is important to distinguish between nutrient balances and nutrient budgets; nutrient balances calculate the difference between the input and output of a nutrient across the system boundary. This calculation also enters a nutrient budget but in addition, the balance (or surplus) is then partitioned between loss pathways. A farm nitrogen budget is shown in figure 1

Figure 1: A farm nitrogen budget

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

The main inputs to the farm are mineral fertiliser, imported animal manure, fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by some (mainly leguminous) crops, deposition from the atmosphere and livestock feed. Inputs in seed and bedding used for animals are generally minor inputs, although the latter can be significant for some traditional animal husbandry systems. The main outputs from the farm are in crop and animal products, and in exported manure. Gaseous losses occur from manure in animal housing, in manure storage and after field application. Other gaseous losses occur from fields; from applied fertiliser, crops, soil and crop residues. Losses to ground and surface water occur via leaching or run off of nitrates, ammonium and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). On poorly managed farms, nitrogen can also be lost in run off from animal housing, animal holding areas and manure storage. The main nitrogen flows within the farm are in the consumption of crop products by the livestock, the return of nitrogen to the field in the excreta of grazing animals, use of straw from the fields as bedding in livestock housing and the removal of manure from animal housing and manure storage for field application.

The farm phosphate budget is shown in figure 2. The main difference between the nitrogen and phosphate budgets is the lack of gaseous emissions in the latter.

Figure 2: Farm phosphate budget

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

5.2 Methodologies related to nitrogen


There are three nitrogen balances in common usage.

5.2.1

Farm gate nitrogen balance

A farm gate nitrogen balance calculates the amount of nitrogen imported into the farm in commodities and subtracts from it the amount exported from the farm in agricultural products. This is illustrated in Fig. 3 below. The farm gate nitrogen balance is usually divided by the land area associated with the agricultural production, so that the result is expressed in terms of kg N ha-1 year-1. The advantage with this balance is that with the exception of manure imports and exports, it relies on readily documented commodity flows. However, it has the disadvantage that it ignores a number of inputs that under certain circumstances can make a major contribution to the supply of nitrogen to the farm. For example, biological nitrogen fixation can make a major contribution to nitrogen supply, particularly on organic farms. As a result, this indicator must be considered obsolete.

Figure 3: Farm gate nitrogen balance

5.2.2

Farm nitrogen balance

A farm nitrogen balance calculates the amount of nitrogen entering the farm and subtracts from it the amount of nitrogen exported from the farm in agricultural products. The difference between the two represents the amount of nitrogen lost to the environment, plus changes in the amount stored within the farm (principally in the soil). This is illustrated in Fig. 4 below. The farm nitrogen balance is usually divided by the land area associated with the agricultural production, so that the result is expressed in terms of kg N ha-1 year-1. The farm nitrogen balance is also sometimes referred to as the farm nitrogen surplus. The rationale for this indicator is that it reflects the average nitrogen pollution potential of agricultural land within the area under consideration (i.e. farm, region, state etc).

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

Figure 4: Components of a farm nitrogen balance

Atm. dep. = Atmospheric deposition, Fixation = biological fixation.

5.2.3

Gross nitrogen balance

A gross nitrogen balance calculates the difference between a. the sum of livestock excretion, mineral and organic fertiliser, seeds and biological fixation and b. crop products removed by harvesting or by grazing. This is illustrated in Fig. 5 below. This balance is used by the OECD/EUROSTART (OECD 2007) and although not expressed explicitly, appears to have the same rationale as the farm nitrogen balance.

Figure 5: Gross nitrogen balance; components included (bold) and associated flows (grey)

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

As for the farm balance, the gross nitrogen balance requires information on the nitrogen input in fertiliser, imported manure, fixation, seeds and plants, and atmospheric deposition. In addition, the gross nitrogen balance requires information on the excretion of nitrogen by livestock on the farm. The nitrogen flows through animal housing and manure storage (the greyed flows in Fig. 5) are not considered explicitly. In addition to information on the export of crop products from the farm, the gross nitrogen balance also requires the output of nitrogen in forage consumed by grazing animals and the removal of crop products for use as feed for animals. Like the farm nitrogen balance, the gross nitrogen balance represents the amount of nitrogen lost to the environment, plus changes in the amount stored in the soil.

5.2.4

Soil nitrogen balance

A soil nitrogen balance is shown in Fig. 6. A soil nitrogen balance calculates the difference between (a) the total N input to the fields via livestock manure, mineral and organic fertilisers, seeds, biological fixation and crop residues and (b) the total N output from the fields via harvested crop yield. This balance is used by CAPRI (Leip et al, 2010). Although the soil nitrogen balance is relatively simple, it requires much more information than is necessary for a farm or gross nitrogen balance. In order to calculate the amount of nitrogen applied to the fields in organic manure produced on the farm, the excretion by livestock must be calculated and the gaseous emissions of nitrogen in animal housing and manure storage must be estimated. When calculating a soil nitrogen balance at the scale of the MS, it is appropriate to use the country specific nitrogen excretion values reported under UNFCCC and the Tier 2 methodology of the EMEP/EEA Air Pollutant Emission Inventory Guidebook for calculating the gaseous emissions of nitrogen in animal housing and manure storage. Additional information is also required on the nitrogen taken up by the crop that is returned to the soil in crop residues.

Figure 6: The components of a soil nitrogen balance.


Components in grey must be quantified in order to calculate the nitrogen in manure applied to the soil.

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

5.2.5

Changes in soil nitrogen storage

Changes in soil nitrogen storage are commonly assumed to be zero. This is the case for OECD and for CAPRI. This assumption is reasonable for the long-term. However, given the nature of the dynamics of carbon and nitrogen in the soil, the long-term should be considered 50 to 100 years. Empirical measurements made in Denmark and in the famous Rothamsted long-term field experiments in the United Kingdom have found significant changes in soil nitrogen storage over time. These changes appear to be related to the changing structure of agricultural production. Thirty to 50 years ago, many farms had mixed production enterprises i.e. they produced both crops and livestock. The increasing specialisation of agricultural production in the last 50 years has resulted in notable differences in the inputs of organic matter to the soil on different farm types. On farms that choose to specialise in arable production, the removal of livestock has led to a reduction in organic matter inputs into the soil via animal manure and crop residues. The reduction in input of crop residues is mainly associated with the disappearance of grass from the crop rotation, since this crop contributes much more organic matter to the soil than arable crops. This has led to a reduction in the soil nitrogen storage of up to 30 kg ha-1 year-1. The reduction in soil storage on farms that choose to specialise in pig production is somewhat less. In contrast, soils on farms that choose to specialise in cattle production has seen accumulation is in soil nitrogen of 30-50 kg ha-1 year-1. Further, changes in soil nitrogen storage are likely to be of major importance where wetlands. peatland and coastal areas have been drained for agriculture. Such soils typically have high or very high initial levels of organic matter, due to the anaerobic or acidic conditions that existed prior to drainage. Drainage leads to aerobic conditions developing for some or all the year, resulting in the mineralization of organic matter and the release of mineral nitrogen. In such situations, 100-300 kg ha-1 of organic nitrogen may be released annually, until the organic rich top layer finally disappears. Assessing the change in soil nitrogen storage is difficult because the amount stored is large compared to the changes that typically occur in a single year. It is possible to do over the medium term (about 10 years) if a sufficiently large number of samples are taken. However, on former wetland or marine areas, measurements are complicated by reductions in the height of the soil surface, due to compaction and to the loss of carbon in gaseous form. Data relating to changes in cropping pattern and livestock density over time can be used to detect whether farms have differed substantially in their development trajectory over time.

5.2.6

Choice of balance

A farm nitrogen balance and the gross nitrogen balance depend on losses to both atmospheric and aquatic environments, so are broad indicators of the potential environmental impact of agricultural nitrogen. They largely rely on inputs and outputs that can be quantified from existing documentable sources (e.g. farm accounts). In contrast, the soil nitrogen balance depends to a great extent upon losses of nitrate, so is a better indicator of the potential impact on the aquatic environment. This relationship could be improved further by subtracting the ammonia emission associated with field application of manures and fertilisers (see section on ammonia emission). However, calculation of a soil nitrogen balance demands estimates of livestock nitrogen excretion and the emissions of nitrogen in animal housing and storage. The data necessary to obtain these estimates are more difficult to obtain and associated with greater uncertainty than those necessary for the calculation of the farm nitrogen balance.

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

5.2.7

Revision of methodologies

Gross nitrogen balance As noted by OECD (2007), estimates of nitrogen excretion obtained from manure sampling vary widely. The excretion of nitrogen by livestock and the nitrogen consumed by livestock in feed produced on the farm are two of the four elements of the livestock nitrogen balance (the other two being imported livestock feed and exported animal products). Over the lifetime of an animal, the nitrogen stored in the animal is zero. To maintain the continuity of nitrogen (i.e. since nitrogen is neither lost or created, just redistributed), the following must be true: imported feed N + farm-produced feed N = animal production N + N excreted (Equation 1)

By rearranging this equation, one obtains: N excreted = imported feed N + farm-produced feed N - animal production N (Equation 2)

As noted by OECD (2007), the estimate of farm-produced feed nitrogen appears both in the input and output terms of the gross nitrogen balance: Input = imported manure + fertiliser + excretion + other N inputs (Equation 3) Output = exported manure + marketed crops + farm-produced feed (Equation 4)

Substituting for excretion: Input = imported manure + fertiliser + imported feed + farm-produced feed - animal production + other N inputs (Equation 5)

As a result, the estimate of farm-produced feed nitrogen cancels out and the gross nitrogen balance is calculated from the following: Input = imported manure + fertiliser + imported feed + other N inputs (Equation 6) Output = exported manure + marketed crops + animal production (Equation 7)

The imported animal feed and exported animal products can be more easily and more accurately determined than the farm-produced animal feed (e.g. via farm accounts). We therefore consider that the gross nitrogen balance would be more accurately calculated using equation 6 and 7. The gross nitrogen balance does not include the import of nitrogen in bedding for livestock. For organic, high welfare and some traditional livestock husbandry, the demand for bedding can be substantial and may require the import of bedding material. This can be illustrated if one considers an organic dairy farm where the livestock are kept in loose housing/deep litter that requires the import of an average of 5 kg straw dry matter ha-1 d-1. If the concentration of N in the straw is on average 1%, this is equivalent to just over 18kg N ha-1 yr-1. Using typical Danish values, this would increase the gross nitrogen balance by 16%. We consider the input of nitrogen and via imported bedding should be added to the gross nitrogen balance .

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

If the recommendations concerning the calculation methodology and the inclusion of imported bedding are accepted, the gross nitrogen balance and the farm nitrogen balance become synonymous.

Soil nitrogen balance Some clarification of terminology is required concerning the use of crop residues and crop products in the calculation of the soil nitrogen balance. Leip et al (2010) refer to crop products and crop residues. OECD/EUROSTAT refer to crop residues, marketed crops and non-marketed crops. The OECD/EUROSTAT terminology is to be preferred as it is clearer. However, it could be usefully modified as follows: Crop residues = plant material left on the field after harvesting. Marketed crops = all crop products sold and exported from the farm. Non-marketed crops = all crop products that are produced on the farm and used on the farm. The reason for suggesting these changes is to ensure that situations such as the use of some or all crop products for biomass or biogas production are also captured.

5.3 Data requirements for N and P balances


5.3.1 Farm nitrogen balance

Some of the components of nitrogen balances can be measured directly, whereas others are estimated indirectly. The sources of these data, their relative importance and the ease with which they are obtained are shown in table 4. Note that the column 'ease' is intended to reflect the technical difficulty in obtaining data on a given farm. It is not intended to reflect the logistical difficulties resulting from the number of farms that must be sampled to ensure a representative value.

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

Table 4: Data relating to farm N balances


Data item Units Update Priority Inputs N Fertiliser Imported manure N concentration in imported manure Area of N fixing crops Fixation rate of N fixing crops Atmospheric deposition Area dedicated to each crop Sowing or planting rates N concentration in seed or plants Number of animals Imported animal feed Concentration of N in imported feed Amount of imported bedding Mg N/yr Mg/yr kg N/Mg ha/yr kg N/ha/yr kg N/ha/yr ha kg/ha kg/kg Annual average population Mg DM/animal kg/kg DM kg DM/animal 1 1 1 1 10 1 1 5 10 1 1 5 5 High High High High High High Medium Low Low High High High Low Outputs Crop products exported Concentration of N in crop products exported Animal products Concentration of N in animal products Exported manure N concentration in exported manure Mg DM kg N/kg dry matter Mg fresh weight kg N/kg fresh weight Mg/yr kg N/Mg 1 10 1 10 1 5 High High High High High High 2 2 1 1 3 3 Necessary to calculate N output in crop products. Necessary to calculate N output in crop products Necessary to calculate N output in animal products Necessary to calculate N output in animal products To calculate nitrogen in exported manure To calculate nitrogen in exported manure 1 2 3 1 3 1 1 2 1 2 3 3 3 To calculate nitrogen in imported manure To calculate nitrogen in imported manure To calculate nitrogen fixation To calculate nitrogen fixation Obtained from EMEP (www.emep.int) Main cropping types. To calculate input in seed or plants To calculate input in seed or plants To calculate input in seed or plants To calculate N input in animal feed To calculate N input in animal feed To calculate N input in animal feed High for straw-based animal husbandry Ease Notes

Abbreviations: DM = dry matter; Update = frequency in years with which data should be updated; Priority = priority of data for calculation; Ease = relative ease with which data can be collected on a given farm, 1 = easy, 2 = moderate, 3 = difficult Notes: Shaded rows = data normally collected by scientific investigation;

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

5.3.2

Soil nitrogen balances

The calculation of a soil nitrogen balance requires all the information necessary for a farm nitrogen balance, plus additional information shown in Table 5.

Table 5: Additional data required for the construction of soil N balances


Data item N excretion Units kg/yr Update 1 Priority High 2 Ease Notes Already required for reporting GHG and ammonia To partition excreted nitrogen between grazed fields and animal housing. Already required for reporting GHG and ammonia Already required for reporting GHG and ammonia Already required for reporting GHG and ammonia Already required for reporting GHG and ammonia Difficult for grazing livestock

Time spent grazing

days

High

Manure spread directly from housing to fields Gaseous losses from animal housing Gaseous losses from manure storage Home-produced crop products consumed by livestock Concentration of nitrogen in home-produced crop products consumed livestock Crop products used for bedding Concentration of nitrogen in crop products use the bedding Proportion of crop mass returned to soil in residue Concentration of nitrogen in crop mass returned to soil in residue

medium

kg/yr

High

kg/yr

high

Mg/yr

high

kg/Mg

10

high

Difficult for grazing livestock

Mg/yr

medium

kg/Mg

10

medium

1 Already required for reporting GHG Already required for reporting GHG

Mg/yr

high

kg/Mg

high

Abbreviations: DM = dry matter; Update = frequency in years with which data should be updated; Priority = priority of data for calculation; Ease = relative ease with which data can be collected on a given farm, 1 = easy, 2 = moderate, 3 = difficult Notes: Shaded rows = data normally collected by scientific investigation;

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

5.3.3

Phosphate balances

Calculating phosphate balances is somewhat simpler than for nitrogen balances, because there is no significant gaseous loss of phosphate from the manure management system2. The main inputs of phosphate to the farm are in the form of phosphate fertiliser, imported animal manure and in imported animal feed. The main exports are in crop and animal products, and in exported manure. Losses of phosphate to the environment occur primarily via erosion (mainly water) and to a lesser extent by leaching. As for nitrogen, on poorly managed farms, phosphate may also be lost in run off from animal production facilities.

Farm phosphate balance The farm phosphate balance is shown in Fig. 7 and the data required are shown in Table 6.

Figure 7:

Farm phosphate balance

This is not entirely true; one poorly managed farms, some manure may leak into water courses.

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

Table 6: Data related to farm P balances


Data item Units Update Priority Inputs P Fertiliser Imported manure P concentration in imported manure Area dedicated to each crop Sowing or planting rates P concentration in seed or plants Number of animals Animal feed P concentration in feed Amount of bedding P concentration in bedding Mg P/yr Mg/yr 1 1 High High 1 2 To calculate phosphate in imported manure To calculate nitrogen in imported manure Main cropping types. To calculate input in seed or plants To calculate input in seed or plants To calculate input in seed or plants To calculate P input in animal feed To calculate P input in animal feed To calculate P input in animal feed To calculate P input in bedding. High for strawbased animal husbandry To calculate P input in bedding Ease Notes

kg P/Mg

High

ha

Low

kg/ha kg/kg Annual average population Mg DM/animal kg/kg DM

5 10 1 1 5

Low Low High High High

2 1 1 1 1

kg DM/animal

10

Low

kg/kg DM

10

Low Outputs

Crop products exported P concentration in crop products Animal products P concentration in animal products Exported manure P concentration in exported manure

Mg DM kg P/kg DM Mg fresh weight kg N/kg fresh weight Mg/yr

1 5 1

High High High

1 1 1

Necessary to calculate P output in crop products. Necessary to calculate P output in crop products Necessary to calculate P output in animal products Necessary to calculate P output in animal products To calculate P in exported manure To calculate P in exported manure

High

High

kg P/Mg

High

Abbreviations: DM = dry matter; Update = frequency in years with which data should be updated; Priority = priority of data for calculation; Ease = relative ease with which data can be collected on a given farm, 1 = easy, 2 = moderate, 3 = difficult Notes: Shaded rows = data normally collected by scientific investigation.

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

Soil phosphate balance The soil phosphate balance is shown in Fig. 8 and the additional data required are shown in Table 7. Note that since it is assumed that no losses occur from the manure management system, it is not necessary to define the details of the flow of manure; the manure phosphate applied to the fields can be calculated as the difference between the phosphate excreted by the livestock and the phosphate exported from the farm in animal manure. The only difference between the field and soil phosphate balance is that the latter requires a separate calculation of crop uptake and return of phosphate in crop residues.

Figure 8: Soil phosphate balance

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Data necessary for the calculation of N and P balances

Table 7: Additional data required for the construction of soil P balances


Data item Units Update Priority Ease Notes Obtain by extracting the P in animal products from P in animal feed and grazed fodder Difficult for grazing livestock Difficult for grazing livestock

P excretion

kg/yr

<Annual

high

Home-produced crop products consumed by livestock Concentration of P in homeproduced crop products consumed livestock Crop products used for bedding Concentration of P in crop products use the bedding Crop uptake Crop residues returned to the soil Concentration of P in crop products use the bedding

Mg/yr

<Annual

kg/Mg

<Annual

Mg/yr kg/Mg Mg/yr Mg/yr kg/Mg

<Annual <Annual <Annual <Annual <Annual

Abbreviations: DM = dry matter; Update = frequency in years with which data should be updated; Priority = priority of data for calculation; Ease = relative ease with which data can be collected on a given farm, 1 = easy, 2 = moderate, 3 = difficult Notes: Shaded rows = data normally collected by periodic survey or scientific investigation; Italicized text = element of nitrogen balance calculation

Changes in soil phosphate storage Phosphate is relatively immobile in soils. The magnitude of the addition of phosphate in manure and fertiliser, and the removal in crop uptake is generally much greater than the losses that occur. An accumulation of phosphate in the soil is not often a threat to the environment unless those soils are at risk from erosion. However, the ability of soils to absorb phosphate is not limitless, so persistent applications of phosphate greatly in excess of plant uptake can lead to a situation where significant amounts of phosphate is leached.

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Coefficients related to emissions of GHG ammonia and N balances

6 Coefficients related to emissions of GHG, ammonia and N balances

6.1 Gaseous emission coefficients


Obtaining accurate values for the coefficients used in calculating emissions or nutrient balances is essential. The default values provided in the IPCC Guidelines and the EMEP/EEA Guidebook are intended to be reasonable estimates for the specified geographic area. These default values often disguise a wide geographic variation in actual values, either due to variations in climate or to regional variations in agricultural practices. In addition, the default values presented in the various guidance documents generally related to situations where no abatement measures have been implemented. Although default values are available that allow for the effect of some abatement measures to be included in coefficients, these values are themselves quite variable, due in particular to climatic effects on their efficiency. Countries are encouraged to use nationally or regionally appropriate values of the coefficients. It is good practice to support the use of these coefficients with empirical measurements. In this section, we describe the quality criteria that should be applied to obtaining and reporting these measurements. The report from Task 1 concludes the following: The measurement protocols and investigations should follow good scientific practice. The measurements should be taken in the situations that are representative of the geographic area which they are to be applied. This includes taking into account variations in practices between farmers and spatial variations in climate. Good scientific practice should be followed when reporting the protocols, conditions and results, including the statistical analysis of results. Whenever possible, the results of investigations and measurements should be reported in the scientific literature and preferably in peer-reviewed publications. In addition to providing quality assurance for the coefficients, it also adds to the sum of knowledge in the whole emission community.

6.2 Nitrogen excretion


The losses from animal husbandry and manure management are driven by the excretion of volatile solids, nitrogen and phosphate for GHGs, ammonia and phosphate respectively. The term volatile solids is used to describe part of the animal excreta that is lost when a sample is heated to a high temperature in an oven. This fraction is equivalent to the organic matter of the excreta. The excretion is commonly calculated or modelled by performing a mass balance for the animals i.e.: Nutrient excretion = nutrients in the feed consumed nutrients in animal production (milk, eggs, animal growth). Correctly calculate feed consumption and animal production is therefore very important for the calculation of nutrient losses and balances from animal production. At the level of the MS, data on animal production are relatively easy to collect, since it will be available from the (limited number of) slaughterhouses and dairies. In most cases, these data are already collected.

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Coefficients related to emissions of GHG ammonia and N balances

The concentration of nutrients in animal products is relatively constant (with the exception of the protein content of milk), so reliable data are already available. The same cannot be said about feed consumption. The feed consumption varies considerably between different animal species, between different production objectives (e.g. meat versus milk production) and between different ages, hence livestock are categorised accordingly when calculating their contribution to emissions. There are two main ways in which feed consumption can be estimated. The first method is to survey feeding practices for each livestock category. This method is preferred but is also the most expensive. The second method is to estimate feed intake using modelling. There is a range of models used across Europe, with each model often being used in only one or a small number of countries. These models vary somewhat in their theoretical basis but have in common the objective to estimate the amount and type of feed that must be fed to different categories of livestock if they are to achieve a given level of production. The main focus is on the supply of energy and protein. In addition, there is the feed consumption model in IPCC (2006), which also forms the basis of the calculations in the UNECE Guidebook.

6.2.1

Estimating nitrogen retained in animal products

The main animal products are meat, milk and fibre. As noted above, statistics for the annual production of these items are already available. The concentration of protein in meat, milk and fibre vary somewhat between animal species and breeds but not greatly between years, and these values will normally also be known. The amount of nitrogen captured in animal products can therefore be calculated on the following equation: N retained = production of product i x protein concentration in product i/6.25

6.2.2

Estimating nitrogen consumed in feed

The national feed consumption models require a variety of data inputs. One option to enable a standardised comparison of nitrogen and volatile solids excretion would be to use the Tier 2 IPCC methodology (IPCC 2006, Volume 4, sections 10.2.2 and 10.5.2). The approach used by IPCC (2006) is to use the production statistics to estimate the energy demand of the livestock and then use the digestibility and protein content of the feed as the basis for estimating the consumption of organic matter and protein (which is the source of nitrogen in feed). However, a comprehensive implementation of the IPCC methodology would demand a large amount of data. An alternative approach is to identify the major variables that determine the excretion of nitrogen and volatile solids and then using default values for all other variables, use the IPCC methodology to calculate excretion. If this approach is to be adopted, it is necessary that the information shown in Table 8 is available for each livestock category.

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Coefficients related to emissions of GHG ammonia and N balances

Table 8: Data for estimating nitrogen consumed in feed


Data Animal weight Average weight gain per day (kg) Average milk production per day (kg) Average milk fat content (%) Annual wool growth (kg) Hours of work or exercise per today Percentage of females that give birth in a year Number of offspring per year Digestibility of feed (%) Protein content of feed (%) Situation (housed, grazing) Mean winter temperature
* 2 for sheep ** 2 for grazing animals in hilly or mountainous areas

Priority (1 = highest) 1 1 1 2 3* 3** 2 1 1 1 2 2

Ease of collection (1 = easy) 2 2 1 1 1 3 2 2 3 3 2 1

Alternative, national models of excretion are also permitted, provided it can be shown that the results would have the same or better accuracy than the default methodology.

6.2.3

Calculating nitrogen excretion

The total nitrogen excretion for a category of livestock can be calculated using IPCC Equation 10.31. However, the IPCC does not require the nitrogen excreted to be partitioned between ammoniacal and organic nitrogen. The UNECE Guidebook requires this partitioning in order to calculate emissions of ammonia. When IPCC uses the digestibility of feed, it is more specifically referring to the digestibility of dry matter, whereas partitioning excreted nitrogen between ammoniacal and organic forms requires the digestibility of the protein in feed. However, as a first approximation, the digestibility of dry matter and of the protein may be equated.

6.3 Quality control of coefficients


As noted earlier, the quality control of emission coefficients for greenhouse gasses and ammonia should be via submission of a report of the investigation to a referred scientific journal.

6.3.1

Nitrogen excretion

As noted by OECD (2008), obtaining reliable data on the nitrogen excretion of livestock and the production of feed (e.g. cereals, grass, hay, silage) for consumption by livestock on the farm is difficult. This is because it relates to within-farm transactions that will often be undocumented. As a result, they will often have to be quantified indirectly. This can lead to significant errors.

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Coefficients related to emissions of GHG ammonia and N balances

A wide variation between member states in nitrogen excretion from the same category of livestock would be expected, given the large differences between member states in the intensity of their livestock production systems. However, there appear to be some inconsistencies between the values reported for livestock nitrogen excretion and the values reported for the nitrogen in livestock production. In the following example, the milk production of dairy cows reported by member states is used as a basis of an estimate of the reliability of reported values for nitrogen excretion. By assuming realistic values for the concentration of nitrogen in milk, and the proportions of nitrogen consumed that are partitioned to animal growth and milk production, the nitrogen excretion can be calculated. The difference between the calculated nitrogen excretion and the value reported by the member state themselves can be substantial. Some of this difference can be explained by true differences in the proportions of nitrogen consumed in feed that is partitioned to animal products. However, for Poland and Greece, the proportions that are necessary to explain the reported excretion are unrealistically high.

Table 9: Simple control of manure production from dairy cows in EU countries*


Table 1. Simple control of manure production from dairy cows in EU countries
Country3) Sou C alculations rce Fr DK Ge Be Ir UK Nl PL EL ce

Kg milk yield per cow, 2006 Pct milk protein in fresh milk Kg milk-N/cow Kg meat-N/cow, (4% of milk prod)

1) 2)

NeffMilk, const. 25 % of inputs


Calc. kg N-uptake per cow

a b c=a*b/6,38 DK d=4%*c DK e f=(c+d)/e g=f-c-d h g/h (c+d)/(h+c+d)

6084 8314 9239 6849 5554 4720 7035 7743 4533 5024 3,5% 3,3% 3,4% 3,2% 3,2% 3,5% 3,4% 3,2% 3,3% 3,3% 33 43 49 34 28 26 37 39 24 26 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 141 107 101 1,06 26% 183 138 129 1,07 26% 205 155 143 108 119 90 109 82 157 119 164 124 100 75 111 84

Calc. milk N-balance, kg N ab animal/cow


EU manure production, Kg N ab animal/cow 3) Rel.: Calc./EU coefficients

Calc. NeffMilk

141 115 101 85 106 141 60 55 1,10 0,94 0,89 0,97 1,12 0,88 1,26 1,52 26% 23% 22% 24% 27% 22% 29% 33%

1) Eurostat, ZMP og EU-kommissionen. 2) Bos et al. 2005 3) CIRCA


3) Fr=North West France- Quimper, DK=Denmark, Ge=North Germany, Ir=Ireland, UK=South West England, Nl=Netherland, sandy soil.

* This table is a working document

We therefore recommend the following quality control measure should be introduced. Within an animal category (e.g. dairy cattle, finishing pig), the amount of nitrogen that annually is to be found in animal feed, animal products and animal excretion vary widely across Europe. In contrast, there is a much lower variation within a category in the nitrogen use efficiency of the livestock. The nitrogen use efficiency = nitrogen in product/nitrogen in feed but can alternatively be calculated as (nitrogen in product)/(nitrogen in product + nitrogen in excreta). We therefore recommend the following: Establishment of benchmark ranges for nitrogen use efficiencies for all major livestock categories. That the nitrogen use efficiency of the major livestock categories be calculated using a reported values for the nitrogen in animal production and animal excretion. That any nitrogen use efficiency thus calculated that falls outside the benchmark range is subject to a more detailed investigation by experts.

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Coefficients related to emissions of GHG ammonia and N balances

Furthermore, we have already indicated that we consider it necessary to collect some data at the farm scale. We recommend below that sampling should be weighted according to the manure production (See Sampling strategy below). Since the farms that produce the largest amounts of manure also tend to be the most specialised with regards to production, the data collected would enable the calculation of an independent estimate of the nitrogen excretion of the major product categories. A condition of the sampling might be that the number of farms with specialised production be sufficiently large that this is the case.

6.3.2

Crop production

Once satisfactory nitrogen use efficiencies have been established, the feed nitrogen intake should be calculated and the imported animal feed nitrogen subtracted, thus obtaining a value for the homeproduced animal feed nitrogen. This could be compared to the member states statistics for crop production.

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Sampling strategy

7 Sampling strategy

7.1 Disaggregation of emissions of GHG and NH3, and of N balances


Agri-environmental indicators (AEIs) are in principle assumed here to be used at national scales. However, to understand the factors underlying a particular balance or assist policy making aimed at reducing environmental impact of agriculture, it will often be desirable to disaggregate the main indicator. The two most useful disaggregations are according to location and production sector (dairy, beef etc). Spatial disaggregation can be valuable for a number of reasons e.g. identification of hotspots or for administrative/regulatory purposes. Disaggregation according to production sector is useful because it allows the impact of the different sectors on the indicator to be quantified. Since measures available to reduce the environmental impact tend to vary between sectors, sector disaggregation is then useful for prioritising the policy response. Disaggregation below the scale of the member state can be problematic because there is often limited documentation of commodity transactions involving nitrogen, between the member states and farm scales. Consequently, if disaggregation is desired, sampling at the farm scale is required. This is taking into account in the following section.

7.2 Stratified sampling strategy


The aim of data collection related to the estimation of greenhouse gases and ammonia, and for N and P balances, is to characterise the agricultural activities that determine the AEIs. Such activities tend to vary according to the type of farm (cattle, pig etc), the farm size and the environmental conditions (e.g. climate, soil type). We suggest that to limit the cost associated with data collection that the sampling strategy be stratified according to these factors. We propose that Europe be partitioned into agroclimatic zones and that each MS should obtain representative data from the agroclimatic zones present within their borders. Noting that much of the environmental impact of farming is associated with livestock husbandry, we propose that each MS identify the livestock types that account for 95% of the national manure production and aim to obtain representative samples from farm types where these livestock types are dominant. Finally, in most MSs, the largest farms account for the major part of the manure production, we propose that the sampling be stratified to obtain representative samples from three farm size categories (suggest relating these to categories already used in FSS).

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Sampling strategy

For a number of data shown in the Tables above, acquisition by scientific (expert) investigation is recommended. For the remainder, we recommend that data identified as easy to collect are collected on all farms sampled. For data identified as medium, we recommend collection on the medium and large farms only. Finally, we propose that the data identified as difficult are only collected on the largest farms. This strategy recognises firstly that the large farms are more likely to have this information readily available and since such farms also tend to specialise in one or two production systems (e.g. finishing pigs, dairy cattle), the burden of data collection will be less than if numerous production systems were present. As noted above, an additional advantage of this strategy is that the feeding and production data from the large, specialised farms can be used to obtain an independent estimate of nitrogen excretion.

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Conclusions and recommendations

8 Conclusions and recommendations


The methodologies for calculating nitrogen balances are not enshrined in international law. The OECD/EUROSTAT gross nitrogen balance represents the difference between the inputs and outputs of nitrogen to agriculture, divided by the land area occupied. As such, it is equivalent to a farm nitrogen balance and represents a holistic indicator of the potential environmental impact. The current methodology requires the estimation of the input of nitrogen by livestock excretion and the output of nitrogen in crop products used by livestock on the same farm, both of which are difficult to obtain. Since there are no gaseous emissions from the animals themselves, these inputs and outputs could be replaced by the nitrogen in imported animal feed and the nitrogen exported in animal products. These can be estimated with greater accuracy. The impact of agricultural nitrogen on the aquatic environment is likely to be more closely related to a soil nitrogen balance and to a farm nitrogen balance. When calculating a soil nitrogen balance, it is recommended to use the country specific nitrogen excretion values reported under UNFCCC and the Tier 2 methodology of the EMEP/EEA Air Pollutant Emission Inventory Guidebook for calculating the gaseous emissions of nitrogen in animal housing and manure storage. The methodologies for calculating phosphate balances are not enshrined in international law. Unlike nitrogen, there are no significant gaseous losses of phosphate. As a consequence, both the farm and soil phosphate balances are determined by the inputs of phosphate in fertilisers in animal feed and the output in crop and animal products. The main potential uncertainty here is the concentration of phosphate in animal feed. This can be avoided by a representative sampling of animal feeds, which is in any case necessary for the accurate determination of nitrogen excretion. The methodologies for calculation of greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions are enshrined in international law, so are not for discussion. In nearly all European states, agriculture is defined as a key source with regards to greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions. As such, MSs are obliged to use a Tier 2 or higher methodology for inventory reporting. Tier 2 and higher methodologies require data that are both detailed and respect the relationships between emission sources. These data can only be collected by sampling at the farm scale (see Table 3). Some European countries have already collected activity data at farm level. The data surveys were carried out with great success and the national inventories could be improved. Country specific mitigation options and potentials were identified. It was found that the only way forward towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly and at the same time economic agriculture was to gain better knowledge on farm management practices. Only then can practically feasible, efficient and economic mitigation measures be proposed and implemented.

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References

References
Amon, B , Frhlich, M , Weiensteiner, R , Zablatnik, B , Amon, T (2007): Tierhaltung und Wirtschaftsdngermanagement in sterreich Endbericht Projekt Nr 1441 Auftraggeber: Bundesministerium fr Land und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt- und Wasserwirtschaft Amon, B., Hrtenhuber, S. (2010): Revision of Austrias National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Sector Agriculture, report Umweltbundesamt GmbH Amon, B., Hrtenhuber, S. (2009): Revision der sterreichischen Luftschadstoffinventur (OLI) fr NH3, NMVOC und NOX; Sektor 4, Landwirtschaft, report Umweltbundesamt GmbH. EU (2008): Official Journal of the European UnionL 321/14: REGULATION (EC) No 1166/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 19 November 2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 571/88. Kupper, T., Bonjour, C., Bohnenblust, D., Achermann, B., Menzi, H. 2010a. Assessment of farm and manure management in Switzerland by means of representative stratified surveys. In: Cordovil, C., Ferreira, L., (eds.). 14th RAMIRAN International Conference. Lisboa Portugal. Kupper, T., Bonjour, C., Zaucker, F., Nyfeler, A., Achermann, B., Menzi, H. 2010b. Evolution of ammonia emissions in Switzerland between 1990 and 2007. In: Cordovil, C., Ferreira, L., (eds.). 14th RAMIRAN International Conference. Lisboa Portugal. Leip, A., Britz, W., Weiss, F., de Vries, W. (2010). Farm, land, and soil nitrogen budgets for Agriculture in Europe. (Submitted). Menzi, H., Ruettimann, L., Reidy, B. (2003): DYNAMO: A new calculation model for dynamic emission inventories for ammonia. Proc. Internat. Symposium "Gaseous and odour emissions from animal production facilities", Horsens, Denmark, June 1-4 2003. Reidy, B., Dammgen, U., Dhler, H., Eurich-Menden, B., Van Evert, F.K., Hutchings, N.J., Luesink, H.H., Menzi, H., Misselbrook, T.H., Monteny, G.J., Webb, J. 2008a. Comparison of models used for national agricultural ammonia emission inventories in Europe: Liquid manure systems. Atmos. Environ. 42(14): 3452-3464. Reidy, B., Rhim, B., Menzi, H. 2008b. A new Swiss inventory of ammonia emissions from agriculture based on a survey on farm and manure management and farm-specific model calculations. Atmos. Environ. 42(14): 3266-3276. Reidy, B., Menzi, H. (2007): Assessment of the Ammonia Abatement Potential of different Geographical Regions and Altitudinal Zones based on a large-scale, In: Biosystems Engineering, Farm and Manure Management Survey, In Press. Reidy, B., Menzi, H. (2005a): Ammoniakemissionen in der Schweiz: Neues Emissionsinventar 1990 bis 2000 mit Hochrechungen bis 2003. Technischer Schlussbericht. Schweizerische Hochschule fr Zollikofen. Reidy, B., Menzi, H. (2005b): Stand der Produktionstechnik und Hofdngerwirtschaft. Agrarforschung 12 (8), 332-337.

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References

Reidy, B., Menzi, H. (2005c): Reduktionspotenzial der landwirtschaftlichen Ammoniakemissionen, unverffentlichter Entwurf des zusammenfassenden Schlussberichts zuhanden BUWAL, Schweizerische Hochschule fr Landwirtschaft (SHL), Zollikofen, Bern. Reidy, B., Webb, J., Misselbrook, T.H., Menzi, H., Luesink, H.H., Hutchings, N.J., Eurich-Menden, B., Doher, H., Dammgen, U. 2009. Comparison of models used for national agricultural ammonia emission inventories in Europe: Litter-based manure systems. Atmos. Environ. 43(9): 1632-1640. Vervaet, M., Kerselaers, E., Claeys, D., Vandermersch, M., Lenders, S., Lauwers, L., Wustenberghs, H., Fernagut, B. (2006): Operationalisation of AEI calculation models. TAPAS 2004, Agri-Environmental indicators execution report, March 2006.

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Annex

Annex: Consolidated list

Table 1: Data relating to manure management (needed for each livestock category)
Data item Units IPCC UNECE GNB/ Farm N balance Soil N balance CAPRI (X) Notes National defaults available, more detailed data must be collected VS excretion required X X (X) (X) Ideally include seasonal distribution Ideally include seasonal distribution Ideally indicate the surface covering (concrete, bare soil, woodchips, other) Ideally indicate the surface covering (concrete, bare soil, woodchips, other)

N-excretion C-excretion Time spent grazing Time spent on yards Yard flooring no leachate capture

kg N yr kg C a

-1

X X X X

-1

hours -1 day hours -1 day

(X)

Yard flooring leachate capture Amount of straw added as bedding

(X)

kg DM head-1 yr-1

(X) Percentage of manure that is spread directly from animal housing to land. Ideally include seasonal distribution

Direct spreading of manure:

(X)

Housing: fully-slatted floor Housing: partially slatted floor Housing: tied Housing: loose Housing: mech. Vent.

(X)

(X)

% % %

X X X

(X) (X) (X)

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

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Annex

Data item Housing: scrubbers or biofilters Manure separation Manure to anaerobic digester (AD) Supplement added to AD: Food waste Supplement added to AD: Crop residues Supplement added to AD: Whole crops Liquid manure imported Solid manure imported Liquid manure exported Solid manure exported Slurry stored in open tanks Slurry stored in covered tanks Slurry stored in lagoons Slurry stored in underfloor pits Manure stored in manure heaps Manure composted

Units

IPCC

UNECE

GNB/ Farm N balance

Soil N balance CAPRI (X)

Notes

(X)

Percent of manure that is separated into solid and liquid fractions Should be included into UNECE as well

(X)

Mg yr-1

(X)

Mg yr

-1

(X)

Mg yr-1

(X)

Mg yr-1

Liquid manure = slurry or separated liquid fraction Solid manure = farmyard manure or separated solid fraction Liquid manure = slurry or separated liquid fraction Solid manure = farmyard manure or separated solid fraction (X) (X) (X) (X) (X) (X)

Mg yr-1

Mg yr

-1

Mg yr

-1

% % % % % % X X X X

X X X X X X

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

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Annex

Data item Manure incinerated Liquid manure applied to fields

Units

IPCC

UNECE

GNB/ Farm N balance X

Soil N balance CAPRI (X)

Notes

(X)

(X)

Liquid manure = slurry or separated liquid fraction. Ideally include seasonal distribution Solid manure = farmyard manure or separated solid fraction. Ideally include seasonal distribution

Solid manure applied to fields

(X)

(X)

Manure application technique: Broadcast no incorporation Manure application technique: Broadcast incorporation <2hrs Manure application technique: Broadcast incorporation <1 day Manure application technique: bandspread Manure application technique: deep injection Manure application technique: shallow injection
DM = dry matter

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

Deep injection = > 15cm

(X)

Shallow injection = 515cm

(X) = for UNECE; data needed to reliably estimate the effect of abatement measures (X) = for soil N balance; data required to calculate manure and nitrogen applied to the soil Data required by UNFCC or CLRTP Data required by UNFCC or CLRTP but which needs to have greater detail to be useful for policymaking Data that are not currently required in order to comply with current international legislation

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

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Annex

Table 2: Data related to field emissions and N balances


GNB/ Data item Units IPCC UNECE Farm N balance X Soil N balance CAPRI X Notes

Ammonium nitrate Ammonium sulphate Calcium ammonium nitrate Anhydrous ammonia Urea Nitrogen solutions Ammonium phosphates Organic manure Immediate incorporation of urea Imported material for bedding Crop residue returned to field Crop residue burnt

Mg N

Mg N

Mg N

Mg N Mg N Mg N Mg N Mg X

X X X X X

X X X X

X X X X X Sewage sludge, municipal compost

MG Mg DM X

(X) X Quarterly resolution needed for arctic environment/albedo effect

Mg DM

(X) = data required to calculate manure and nitrogen applied to the soil Data required by UNFCC or CLRTP Data required by UNFCC or CLRTP but which needs to have greater detail to be useful for policymaking Data that are not currently required in order to comply with current international legislation

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

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Glossary

Glossary
CAP AEI UNFCCC CLTRP EMEP EEA IPCC CH4 CO2 NH3 N2O CORINAIR GPG VS B0 MCF N TAN GHG MMS IIASA UNECE DM FYM P N2 DON CAPRI OECD FSS Common Agricultural Policy Agri-environmental indicators UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UN Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme European Environment Agency Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Methane Carbon dioxide Ammonia Nitrous oxide CORe INventory AIR IPCC Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Volatile solids maximum methane producing capacity Methane conversion factor nitrogen Total ammoniacal nitrogen Greenhouse gas manure management system International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Dry matter farmyard manure Phosphate Dinitrogen dissolved organic nitrogen Common Agricultural Policy Regionalised Impact Modelling System Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Farm Structure Survey

Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances

59

European Commission Analysis of methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and nutrient balances Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union 2011 59 pp. 21 x 29.7 cm Theme: Agriculture and fisheries Collection: Methodologies & Working papers ISBN 978-92-79-22088-3 ISSN 1977-0375 doi:10.2785/22109 Cat. No KS-RA-11-024-EN-N

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