How to enter manure that is processed through a mechanical separator?
Manure is often processed through a mechanical separator before the liquid portion is sent e.g. to a lagoon and the large solids are managed differently, e.g. composted. However, we do not have the option for separators in our tool. Adding separator as management option would require substantial work on developing new equations and factors, and therefore this is currently no priority to be included.
As work-around, you can add the two ways of managing the proportions of manure separately in the manure tab. Select the appropriate liquid slurry type and % of amount managed this way, and then click on the '+ add manure management’ bar and select the appropriate type and % for the solid part (e.g. composting).
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In the beef and dairy module, the “manure” tab accounts for the emissions from management and storage of manure collected from animals in-house (emissions from manure left on field during grazing is already calculated by the tool). Select the ...
If there is only a single collection point for all manure, do I still need to enter management for each animal category?
Yes, if you do not specify manure for each category, the tool will default to an emission factor that is equivalent to manure applied during grazing.
Why is there no production emission associated with manure-based fertilisers?
These emissions are allocated to the production of milk or meat in the Cool Farm Tool and therefore there are no production emissions allocated to the crop carbon footprint.
Can I account for the time the manure is stored in different systems?
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Grassland fertilisation: I only apply manure fertiliser on hayfields, not on the full acreage that is used for both hay and grazing. Does it make sense to select “grazing, grass silage, and hay area combined” and then enter in only the acreage on which fertiliser is being applied?
Correct. Select “grazing, grass silage, and hay area combined”, and please only enter the area that is fertilised and the respective fertiliser amounts, not the full area. This won’t impact any other modules (e.g. grazing, feed). Please keep in mind ...