Can I add a new crop to the CFT?
Please note that in
the annual GHG pathway, the primary impact of selecting a crop is the quantity
of residues it produces. For crops not listed in the tool, you can use the
"Other Crop" option and enter an estimate of residue quantity (above ground & in dry matter).
If you are
interested in having a new crop officially added to the Cool Farm Tool, it's
important to understand that the following information must be provided based
on peer-reviewed studies of meta-analysis (no single study) - and ideally in-vivo or outside of the lab studies. See our methods policy for requirements of new methods:
- Dry Matter
Fraction: This entails the proportion of the crop's total biomass that is
composed of dry matter
- Above-Ground
Nitrogen Fraction: The fraction of nitrogen found in the above-ground portion
of the crop.
- Ratio of Above and
Below-Ground Biomass: Information about the balance between above-ground and
below-ground biomass for the crop.
- Below-Ground
Nitrogen Fraction: The fraction of nitrogen found in the below-ground portion
of the crop.
- Combustion factor: Factor for the "burnt in field" residue management option, for the proportion of unburnt residue that is treated as soil emission.
- Ratio Above-Ground
Residue to Yield: This should be based on the dry matter of above-ground
residues relative to the harvested yield of the crop.
In addition to the
above parameters, water factors are also required to ensure that the water
pathway options in the Cool Farm Tool remain consistent with GHG options. These
water factors encompass crop phase lengths and related factors, which may
already be available through the FAO for the new crop. For more detailed
information on the technical aspects of adding a new crop, please refer to our
documentation at this link: CFT
Water Factors
and CFT
Residue Factors, and consult our methods policy for scientific requirements of new methods.
Please note that additional funding will be necessary to accommodate the addition of a new crop and that this will only be possible after the launch of the new Cool Farm Platform. If you can provide above information and are interested in adding a new crop to the Cool Farm Tool, please get in contact with the Cool Farm Support team for further information and assistance.
Related Articles
My crop is not listed in the CFP perennials pathway. Can I use it for other crops?
The current methodology behind the Cool Farm perennials pathway only supports the crops you see in the dropdown list. Unfortunately we cannot recommend to use any of the options as proxy/alternative, as each perennial crop exhibits a unique growth ...
When we choose crop trees does that include the above and below ground biomass, or should I add the number of crop trees and it's diameter again in the biomass section?
The biomass of crop trees in the annual existing CFT module is not automatically included, this needs to be added in the biomass section. You should only account for crop biomass if the biomass is permanent and additional.
If I planted new additional shade trees last year, should I enter 0 for the size last year?
Create a new entry for the new trees planted. Indicate 0 for density last year, and under size last year indicate the diameter of the new trees at the time they were planted. For size this year enter the measured diameter this year, as well as the ...
I don't see my crop in the drop-down list on the first tab. What should I do?
The crop affects your carbon footprint via residues, below-ground biomass, and nitrous oxide emissions from nitrogen application. If you don’t see your crop listed, choose from the “other” crops at the bottom of the drop-down list. The main impact of ...
Can I add a new feed additive to the cattle methods?
Yes, you can add a new feed additive to our system. However, please be aware that we currently have a minimum lead time of 18 months for the addition of any new feed additives. This timeframe is essential for us to ensure that any new additive ...