Comparison of Different Tools to Quantify GHG Emissions in Dairy
Background
HEI was contracted to perform projects for a classified company to compare greenhouse gas (GHG) emission models side‑by‑side and to understand how methodological choices influence estimated emissions and carbon dynamics. By standardizing data collection protocols and integrating results within a GIS‑enabled database, the program enables transparent, spatially informed comparisons across models and field measurements.
The Project
HEI provided expert guidance on the selection of GHG models for a national research program with the goal of comparing results from intensive carbon modeling efforts with field measurements on dairy farms. Following the development of these modeling recommendations, HEI has continued to support the program through an ongoing services contract, deploying multiple models across active dairy operations. The models included in this effort are DNDC, ManureDNDC, Cool Farm Tool, FARM ES v3, GREET, and RuFaS.
Throughout the project, HEI has contributed across a wide range of activities, from coordinating directly with farmers and collecting data, to developing standardized protocols for integrating, managing, and analyzing information. These protocols make sure that the analysis reflects the best management practices used across both dairy and crop operations.
HEI also designed and built a GIS‑integrated database that allows field measurements to be stored alongside outputs from the various GHG models. This system supports comprehensive, spatially informed comparisons across datasets.
The work has since focused on integrating multiple forms of information into whole farm life cycle assessment reports that also identify the GHG impacts of conservation practices implemented by the participating farms.
Over time, the combined results of this work will help assess how well different models represent carbon dynamics and GHG outcomes from field to farm gate across real-world dairy operations.
- HEI guided the selection and deployment of multiple leading GHG models to rigorously compare carbon dynamics and emissions across active dairy operations.
- This work supports a national effort to evaluate how methodological differences among GHG tools influence results, ultimately improving the accuracy of farm‑scale emissions assessments.
- Annual and cumulative reports were developed to clearly track how each farm’s GHG footprint and practice adoption evolved throughout the project.
Project Details
Location: California, Florida, Idaho, and Washington
Project Highlights
- HEI guided the selection and deployment of multiple leading GHG models to rigorously compare carbon dynamics and emissions across active dairy operations.
- This work supports a national effort to evaluate how methodological differences among GHG tools influence results, ultimately improving the accuracy of farm‑scale emissions assessments.
- Annual and cumulative reports were developed to clearly track how each farm’s GHG footprint and practice adoption evolved throughout the project.
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