Carbon Footprint
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A carbon footprint is a technical assessment which determines the amount of emissions of certain gases from a process, activity, business or even a person’s lifestyle. The gases involved are often referred to as Greenhouse gases as they are believed to contribute to the greenhouse effect which traps heat in the atmosphere and has the potential to cause climate change.
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Carbon Footprint
- 1. Carbon Footprint Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 2. What is a carbon footprint? Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why do pork producers care? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 3. Greenhouse gases Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 4. How is it measured? • Operational Assessment • Emissions from manure treatment & storage • Energy consumption • Fuel used by vehicles • Product Life Cycle Assessment • From feed crops to plate Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 5. Why does this matter in Pork production? Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 6. Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 7. Where can carbon emissions from a pork operation be reduced? Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 8. Vehicles Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 9. Manure handling and storage Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 10. Saving energy - lighting • Light bulb covers • Turn off unnecessary lights • Timers programmed correctly Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 11. Saving energy - heating • Room or barn heaters Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 12. Saving energy – heat lamps and mats • Heat Lamps/mats • Check the temperature • What are the pigs telling you? • Turn the heat off if not needed Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 13. Brooder lamps • Adjust the height • Turn off if not needed Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why doe this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
- 14. Conclusion Conclusion How to reduce carbon emissions? Why does this matter in pork production? How is it measured? What is a carbon footprint?
Editor's Notes
- A carbon footprint is a technical assessment which determines the amount of emissions of certain gases from a process, activity, business or even a person’s lifestyle. The gases involved are often referred to as Greenhouse gases as they are believed to contribute to the greenhouse effect which traps heat in the atmosphere and has the potential to cause climate change.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are the primary greenhouse gases that result from agricultural and livestock operations.
- Carbon footprints can be measured by an operational assessment or by a product life cycle assessment. The operational carbon footprint for a pig farm analyzes the greenhouse gas emissions from the treatment and storage of manure, energy consumption of buildings and fuel used by farm vehicles and machinery on an annual basis. A product life-cycle assessment examines the carbon footprint of a product from its earliest beginning until the product or the packaging it was sold in has broken down in the environment or has been recycled. In pork production, the assessment would start on the farm where the feed crops to feed the pigs are produced. This includes the operational assessment as well as the vehicle used in transporting pigs to the processing plant, the delivery of the pork product to the retail store, energy used in storing and displaying the product, the purchase and consumption by the consumer and the disposal of the packaging in the land fill.
- Pork producers can demonstrate their on-going commitment to being good environmental stewards as well as aligning the industry with a growing number of pork customers who are becoming more interested in environmental issues. Some retailers are asking life-cycle assessments so they can provide customers with “greener” products. There is increasing interest from government and society for commodity producers, like pig farmers, to understand and manage their carbon emissions Reducing carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency can also improve profitability.
- By improving how crops are raised, how pigs are fed and how nutrients are recycled, U.S. pig farmers have reduced greenhouse gas emissions and pork’s carbon footprint by 35% per pound of pork over the last 50 years,
- Pork producers can continue this positive trend by addressing key areas of their operation, including: Manure handling & storage Fuel Use And Building Energy Consumption
- Depending on the size and complexity of the facility, vehicles and tractors may be a sizable source of green house gas emissions. Limiting vehicle idling and focusing on tractor and vehicle efficiency will reduce green house gas emissions and may result in significant cost savings.
- Manure storage lagoons can be a significant source of methane (CH4). Methane has an impact potential 21 times higher than carbon dioxide. The emissions from manure storage and handling may be controlled by covering the storage structure and capturing the gas. The gasses can be flared or used as a fuel source for powering generators or equipment.
- Reducing energy consumption on the farm is an effective way to reduce the carbon footprint. Light bulb covers (sometimes called globes) can protect the bulbs from the moisture, temperature and dust in the barn environment that may shorten the bulbs life. Keep covers in place and replace when damaged or missing. It is important to have good lighting in the barn for your safety and to be able to monitor the animals but consider turning off unnecessary lights. Installing timers allows you to program when certain lights are on and off, to optimize energy consumption.
- Heating is another major energy consumer Monitoring the overall temperature in a room or barn is important for conserving energy and for the comfort and productivity of the animals. Make sure that room or barn heaters are set correctly, for the age of the pig.
- In the farrowing room, make sure all heat sources are in good working order and meeting the temperature needs of the pigs. Faulty equipment maybe drawing energy but not providing comfort for the pig. An infrared thermometer can be used to check that a heat mat is working effectively or to gauge the area a heat lamp is warming. Look at how the pigs are laying. If the area directly under a heat lamp is empty or the pigs are lying away from the heat lamp area, they may be too hot. If the pigs are piling under the heat lamp, they may be too cold. If heat lamps are incorrectly adjusted, energy is being wasted while the pigs may still be uncomfortable or lying in an area where they are more susceptible to being injured by the sow. Adjust the height of the lamp to create an area where the temperature is comfortable for the pigs. As pigs in farrowing get older, their need for supplemental heat decreases. Heat lamps may be turned off. Check with your supervisor when to do this.
- Brooder or heat lamps in the nursery or wean-to-finish barn should also be set at the appropriate height to create a comfortable area for the pigs. As weaned pigs grow, their need for a separate heat source decreases and these can then be turned off.
- Properly managing day-to-day activities on pig farms can help to reduce greenhouse gases and lower the overall carbon footprint of hog production. In addition to benefiting the environment, this can result in improved energy efficiency, lower production costs and improved profitability for your operation.