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Emission factors from enteric fermentation of different categories of cattle in the Mexican tropics: a comparison between 2006 and 2019 IPCC

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Abstract

Considerable interest has been shown in evaluating methodologies to calculate current enteric methane emissions and using those that produce the most precise results. The objectives of this study were (1) to calculate the emission factors (EFs) for enteric methane produced by different livestock systems in the Mexican tropics using the Tier-2 methodology of the 2006 IPCC and 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (2019 IPCC); (2) to calculate the Tier-2 EFs using both IPCC versions with the methane conversion factor (Ym) estimated with emission data specific to the Mexican tropics (denoted as Tier-2MX), and (3) to compare the EFs from (2) and (1) based on the Ym specific to the Mexican tropics and the default Ym for the 2006 and 2019 IPCC, respectively. To calculate the EFs and Ym using the Tier-2 methodology, three models of meat production in the tropics were selected: a monoculture system (MC, 6 farms), an intensive silvopastoral system (ISP, 6 farms), and a native silvopastoral system (NSP, 6 farms). Twelve of the selected farms were dual-purpose (meat and milk production), and 6 were used for calf production. The EFs were estimated using two main steps: (1) classification of livestock into subcategories: bulls, lactating cows, dry cows, and replacement heifers; and (2) calculation of the gross energy (MJ day−1) intake as prescribed in Chapter 10, Volume 4 of the IPCC (2006 and 2019). The data showed that high and low productivity could be distinguished using the 2019 IPCC but not the 2006 IPCC. Higher average EFs were generated by Tier-1 than by Tier-2. The Tier-2 EFs were higher than the Tier-2MX EFs. These results confirm that Tier-2 methodologies can enhance existing differences. Additionally, the Tier-2MX EFs for each type of cattle were lower than the Tier-2 and Tier-1 EFs. These results show that it is advisable to use methane yields determined for a particular country or region.

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Funding

This project was funded by the Program of Support for Research and Technological Innovation Projects of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (the PAPIIT IV200715 Project). The first author received a doctoral scholarship in the Postgraduate in Sustainability Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico from the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000 Coyoacán, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, México

    Adriana Rivera-Huerta & Leonor Patricia Güereca

  2. Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, México

    María de la Salud Rubio Lozano

  3. Departamento de Nutrición Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, C.P. 97300, Mérida, Yucatán, México

    Juan C. Ku-Vera

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  1. Adriana Rivera-Huerta
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  2. María de la Salud Rubio Lozano
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  3. Juan C. Ku-Vera
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  4. Leonor Patricia Güereca
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Correspondence to Leonor Patricia Güereca.

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Rivera-Huerta, A., de la Salud Rubio Lozano, M., Ku-Vera, J.C. et al. Emission factors from enteric fermentation of different categories of cattle in the Mexican tropics: a comparison between 2006 and 2019 IPCC. Climatic Change 172, 23 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-022-03378-z

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