Climate Smart Farming Resource

Planning for Quantitative Methane Capture & Destruction from Liquid Dairy Manure Storage

Liquid manure storage is a commonly implemented and recognized Best Management Practice (BMP) for addressing water quality concerns. However, liquid manure storage is a major contributor of dairy farm-based greenhouse gas emissions. Liquid manure storage produces potent greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. With whole farm planning, farms can take steps to reduce manure-storage GHG emissions that may have other financial, social, and ecological benefits.

This information sheet provides farmers, educators, and technicians with options for mitigating methane and other GHG emissions from liquid manure storage. While there are many ways to achieve this outcome, two potential strategies are described in this factsheet. The first strategy is placing an impermeable cover on liquid manure storage units, accompanied by a flare. The second strategy is installing an Anaerobic Digestion System (ADS) with energy generation. Both options are practical methods to reduce GHG emissions and increase nutrient retention of liquid manure.

For more information on this factsheet or series, contact Peter Woodbury (peterwoodbury@cornell.edu) or Jenifer Wightman (jenifer.wightman@cornell.edu).

Website: http://blogs.cornell.edu/woodbury/

Cost: Free

Time Investment: Not Applicable