USDA's enhanced GHG methods for agriculture

Apr 03, 2024

By Farms.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched the second edition of its report on quantifying greenhouse gas fluxes in agriculture and forestry. This update equips farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners with advanced tools to evaluate the carbon footprint of their operations.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack underscores the importance of these updated methods in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and instilling confidence in environmental stewardship efforts. The report, developed through extensive collaboration, aims to steer conservation initiatives and enhance greenhouse gas estimation practices on U.S. farms.

Section 2709 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 mandated USDA to establish science-based guidelines for measuring environmental service benefits from conservation and land management activities. These guidelines underpin COMET-Farm, an online platform aiding farmers in creating farm-scale inventories and exploring strategies to mitigate emissions.

The 2024 update integrates the latest scientific findings and feedback from a diverse range of experts, ensuring its accuracy and applicability. The report and associated tools will assist stakeholders in quantifying the greenhouse gas benefits of management adjustments, bolstering USDA's conservation agenda.

A rigorous review process, involving input from scientists, federal agencies, and the public, underscores the report's credibility as a highly influential scientific assessment. Its designation highlights its pivotal role in shaping agricultural policies and practices.

Video: How Can We Grow More Food With Less Impact?

For over two decades, Dr. Mitloehner has been at the forefront of research on how animal agriculture affects our air and our climate. With deep expertise in emissions and volatile organic compounds, his work initially focused on air quality in regions like California’s Central Valley—home to both the nation’s richest agricultural output and some of its poorest air quality.

In recent years, methane has taken center stage in climate discourse—not just scientifically, but politically. Once a topic reserved for technical discussions about manure management and feed efficiency, it has become a flashpoint in debates over sustainability, regulation, and even the legitimacy of livestock farming itself.

Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Specialist with the CLEAR Center sits down with Associate Director for Communications at the CLEAR Center, Joe Proudman.