Estimation of the Methane Emission Factor for Buffalo Cattle and Bulls

Subject Areas : Camel

F. Sarubbi ¹ , R. Baculo ² , R. Palomba ³ , G. Auriemma ⁴

1 - National Research Council, ISPAAM Institute, Naples, Italy
2 - National Research Council, ISPAAM Institute, Naples, Italy
3 - National Research Council, ISPAAM Institute, Naples, Italy
4 - National Research Council, ISPAAM Institute, Naples, Italy

Received: 2012-04-18 Accepted : 2012-07-06 Published : 2013-06-01

Keywords: buffalo cattle and bulls, CH4 emission factor,

Abstract :

In order to determine the incidence of buffaloes on enteric CH4 emissions, information about animal production and farm management was analyzed and the CH4 emission factor estimated using the IPCC Tier 2 model. CH4 emission factor for the category of buffalo cattle and buffalo bulls was estimated for the period 2000-2007, in Italy, Europe and worldwide. During 2007, the CH4 emission factor for buffalo cattle and bulls worldwide was 61.35 and 47.48 kg CH4/head/yr respectively. The CH4 emission factor from 2000 to 2007 worldwide showed an increase of 1.94 and 4.68 kg CH4/head/yr for buffalo cattle and bulls respectively, also considering that the buffalo population is increasing and that the CH4 emission factor depends on body weight and milk yield.

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