Model development and validation for estimating methane and ammonia emissions from fattening pig houses: effect of manure management system.

This paper describes a calculation model for the prediction of methane and ammonia emissions fromfattening pig houses. This model was validated with continuous and discrete measurements from twomanure management systems (MMS) (long storage (LS) in deep pits and short storage (SS) by daily flushingof a shallow pit with sloped walls). The average calculated methane and ammonia emissions correspondedwell with the measured values. Based on the calculated and measured results, the average calculated CH4emission (18.5 and 4.3 kg pig-1 yr-1 ) corresponded well with the continuous measured values using sensors(15.9 and 5.6 kg pig-1 yr-1 ) and the discrete measurements using the reference method (22.0 and 3.1 kg pig -1 yr-1 ) for LS and SS, respectively. The average calculated NH3 emission (2.6 and 1.4 kg pig-1 yr-1 ) corresponded wellwith the continuous measured values using sensors (2.6 and 1.2 kg pig -1 yr-1 ) and the discrete measurementsusing the reference method (2.7 kg pig-1 yr-1 and 1.0) for LS ad SS, respectively. Based on the results of thereference measurements, the approximate reduction potential of these measures for CH 4 and NH3 emissionsis 86% and 63%, respectively. The upgraded model with robust calculation rules, extensive validations and asimplified interface can be a useful tool to assess the current situation and the impact of mitigation measuresat the farm level.