Climate mitigation measures win Danish pig production
The goal is ambitious: 50% reduction in CO2e emissions from Danish pig production by 2030.
Danish pigs currently account for 14% of the total CO2 emissions from the agricultural sector. New technology tools are required to be implemented on pig farms.
In the series of articles on carbon mitigation measures, we examine initiatives, research and technologies that are current in Danish pig production designed to achieve the climate impact reduction target.
Frequent manure discharge for methane reduction
In this issue, we look at frequent manure discharge.
With effect from 1 May 2023, frequent discharge in existing finisher units and in all new pig units became a legal requirement. The legal requirement was part of the 2021 agricultural agreement known as the ”Agreement on the green transition of Danish agriculture”.
Around 2.5% of Denmark’s total greenhouse gas emissions derive from methane emissions from pig housing units, of which approximately 77% is created in manure. The legal requirement will contribute to a reduction in Danish pig production’s greenhouse gas emissions, corresponding to 150,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year in 2025, rising to 170,000 tonnes CO2 equivalents per year in 2030.
Frequent discharge prevents growth conditions for unwanted bacteria
The aim is to remove the manure from the warm unit to the cooler storage conditions in the slurry container or the biogas plant as fast as possible. Traditionally, the manure has remained in the unit for many days at a temperature of 18-20 degrees. This provides good growth conditions for the bacteria that converts carbon into methane. More frequent discharge, therefore, will address this issue.
In practice, the legal requirement means that in all finisher units and new units for piglets and sows, the manure must be discharged when it reaches a height of 10cm in the container or at most every seven days. Danish pig producers use various methods to meet this requirement. Examples include automatic vacuum discharge or the pull plug system.
See one method for frequent slurry discharge in this video.
See one method for frequent slurry discharge in this video.