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Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere and contribute to extreme weather and climate change. Nationally, agriculture accounts for 9.4% of all GHG emissions. The dairy sector is responsible for approximately 1.4% of these emissions. Enteric emissions and manure management are the leading sources of GHGs from dairy. About 50% of the GHGs from manure management are from the dairy sector. Methane is the predominant GHG from manure with dairy manure methane emissions 124% higher than 1990 levels, mostly due to the increased usage of anaerobic (oxygen-free) manure slurry storages. 

 

GHG emissions in New York State

 In New York State, only 6% of all GHG emissions are from agriculture. However, approximately 77% of NYS agricultural GHG emissions are from the dairy sector - roughly a third related to dairy manure management. 

Read more about GHG emissions from dairy and agriculture (2023)
Pie chart showing a 2021 NYS greenhouse gas emissions inventory by economic sector

Research and reports

Ways to reduce GHG emissions from dairy manure

Methane emissions from manure storages are driven by two main variables: 1) the amount of organic matter in a slurry storage, and 2) warmer temperatures which speed the microbial conversion of organic matter to methane. As a result, storing less manure during the warm summer months may substantially reduce methane emissions. 

4 graphs modeling the impact of storing less manure during the summer on a 1,000-cow dairy farm

Manure treatments that reduce the organic matter content of manure prior to storage can also reduce methane emissions. Solid-liquid separation systems, such as screw-presses, can capture up to 40% of the organic matter from a manure slurry. As a result, these systems may substantially reduce methane emissions. 

Additional information