RECORD COLLECTORS UNITE — THERE’S POWER IN NUMBERS

Aug 16, 2023

Ranching without records is like travelling without a map. Records tell you where you’ve been and where you are. Connecting those dots tells you where you’re heading. If you don’t like that destination, records can help decide how to adjust your management. When producer records are combined, you can tell where you are with respect to the overall industry and how the industry is progressing over time.

Industry data is critical for research, too. In 2012 the BCRC held a research priority workshop with cattle producers, researchers, extension staff and veterinarians. Feedlots are very data driven, work closely with large consulting veterinary practices and follow somewhat similar management practices. Their top concerns were dialed-in on bovine respiratory disease, lameness and acidosis. The cow-calf group had a much harder time. Limited record keeping, tremendous regional variation in calving seasons, climate, grazing management, winter feeding, etc., and less regular contact with veterinarians meant that information on the sector’s leading animal health challenges was lacking.

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Video: Swine Industry Advances: Biodigesters Lower Emissions and Increase Profits

Analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG emissions) in the Canadian swine sector found that CH4 emissions from manure were the largest contributor to the overall emissions, followed by emissions from energy use and crop production.

This innovative project, "Improving Swine Manure-Digestate Management Practices Towards Carbon Neutrality With Net Zero Emission Concepts," from Dr. Rajinikanth Rajagopal, under Swine Cluster 4, seeks to develop strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

While the management of manure can be very demanding and expensive for swine operations, it can also be viewed as an opportunity for GHG mitigation, as manure storage is an emission source built and managed by swine producers. Moreover, the majority of CH4 emissions from manure occur during a short period of time in the summer, which can potentially be mitigated with targeted intervention.

In tandem with understanding baseline emissions, Dr. Rajagopal's work focuses on evaluating emission mitigation options. Manure additives have the potential of reducing manure methane emissions. Additives can be deployed relatively quickly, enabling near-term emission reductions while biodigesters are being built. Furthermore, additives can be a long-term solution at farms where biogas is not feasible (e.g., when it’s too far from a central digester). Similarly, after biodigestion, additives can also be used to further reduce emissions from storage to minimize the carbon intensity of the bioenergy.