Comparison of carbon footprints of different livestock operations

Abstract

This study aims to estimate the carbon footprint resulting from the functional unit produced in a dairy cattle (100 head), a sheep (80 head), and a layer hen (12000 birds) enterprises operating in the Bursa region. In this study, 1 liter of milk in the dairy cattle farm, 1 kg of meat in the sheep farm and 1 kg of eggs in the hens' farm are considered as functional units. Within the scope of the study, Tier 1 and Tier 2 approaches were used to estimate methane gas emission both from enteric fermentation and manure management.The results obtained at the end of the study are 0.4215-1.0693 kg CO(2)e / L milk, 0.0912-0.1002 kg CO(2)e / kg meat, 0.3834 kg CO(2)e / kg egg for Tier 1 and Tier 2 approaches, respectively. Since the data containing the Tier 2 approach for the poultry operation is not available, the calculation could not be made. In line with the results, processes such as adding quality and high-energy foods to feed ration, better planning of manure operating systems, and composting are recommended for reducing enteric fermentation.