Assessment of greenhouse gases emissions from dairy cattle production in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand’s agriculture sector plays a vital role in driving economic growth. Globally, livestock production is estimated to contribute about 18% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Despite its importance, there is a relative lack of research on GHGs assessment in the livestock sector in Thailand. The aim of this research was to estimate GHGs emissions from dairy cattle production in Saraburi and Ratchaburi provinces of Thailand. The 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories was applied in this research. Twenty dairy farms (n=20) including both small farms (n=10) and medium farms (n=10) were selected as the case studies. The results revealed that total GHGs emissions from 20 farms were 138.83 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2eq) from all activities. Methane (CH4) emissions from both enteric fermentation and manure management were accounted for 98%. Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from manure management (both direct and indirect) and from manure applied to soil were only 1%. Small size of farms emitted GHG in the range of 3.82 to16.01 kg CO2eq (0.19 – 3.20 kgCO2 eq/head of cattle of GHG emission intensity (ET). Whereas, medium farms contributed GHG range from 2.74 and 4.22 kg CO2eq (0.09-0.19 kgCO2 eq/head of cattle of ET) from all activities. Farms in Ratchaburi emitted the emission in the range of 3.25-16.01 kg CO2eq per cow but farms in Saraburi contributed to total GHGs emission in the range of 2.74 - 4.07 kg CO2eq. Besides, ET range in Ratchaburi was 0.15-3.20 kg CO2eq and ET range in Saraburi was 0.09-0.21 kg CO2eq. By considering emissions activities, CH4 emission from enteric fermentation is much higher than those from manure management. By considering waste management in a dairy farm, as the manure solid storage system emitted higher emissions than the liquid/slurry system, it is necessary for farm managers and related stakeholders to properly manage the herds and farms to lower methane emissions, especially from manure management practices (i.e., installation of anaerobic digestion, composting, and manure drying practices, etc.). Besides, it is necessary to consider other factors that reduce emissions such as improving feeding quality and keeping good animal husbandry practices.