Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Cattle Feedlot Manure Composting and Anaerobic Digestion as a Potential Mitigation Strategy

Abstract

Livestock production is a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the management of livestock manure is responsible for approximately 3% of CH4 and 12% of total N2O emissions in Canada. Composting is a manure management strategy that reduces the impact of land applied manure to the environment. However, nitrogen loss and GHG emissions are known to occur during the composting process. Anaerobic digestion is an alternative manure management strategy that can be utilized in conjunction with composting to limit nitrogen loss and reduce GHG emissions. A discussion focused on comparing different manure management strategies, the biological mechanisms at work in each, and their impact on GHG emissions will be undertaken in this chapter.