Greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), absorb radiation from the sun and trap heat in the atmosphere, effectively acting like a greenhouse or a layer of insulation for Earth. In Canada 10% of GHG emissions are from crop and livestock production, excluding emissions from the use of fossil fuels or from fertilizer production. In Prince Edward Island, this number increases to 23% of GHG emissions. Of these emissions, livestock production represents a considerable source of GHG emissions; from enteric methane, to methane from liquid manure storages, to the GHG emissions from livestock feed production (grains and forages). However, animal agriculture can have a positive impact on the environment and the climate, depending on management practices.
What Will I Learn?
By the end of this training, learners will develop farm-specific strategies for a livestock farming operation that reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration. This training allows learners to build upon strategies developed in the Climate Smart Fundamentals microcredential, with strategies specific to a livestock operation.
You will:
- Observe current and emerging practices;
- Explore farm-specific strategies to prioritize and implement beneficial management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration, including:
- Livestock nutrition and feeding strategies to increase efficiency, profits and reduce emissions (including novel supplementation strategies);
- Advanced grazing management to reduce methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration;
- Pasture assessments, including soil health;
- Management of liquid manures (both in storage, and in field application);
- Livestock-cropland integration for cover crop management and soil fertility.
- Select strategies that align with your operation’s goals, anticipate the impact of implementing chosen strategies and measure the success.
Learners will be required to:
- Refine Climate Smart livestock agricultural goals for their operation;
- Justify the choice of livestock farm-specific strategies to reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration, using research and existing best practices.
- Develop an implementation plan for chosen strategies.