PastorC-Tambo: a simplified model to assess carbon balance of dairy farms

Grazing systems have the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve C balance through soil C sequestration. The inclusion of soil organic carbon (SOC) balance in farm scale models is needed to assess the C balance of grazing dairy systems. The objective of this work was to pres...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Zurbriggen, Gabriel Alberto, Piazza, A.M., Montico, Sergio, Garcia, Karina Elizabet, Galli, Julio Ricardo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:Argentina
Institución:Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
Repositorio:INTA Digital (INTA)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:localhost:20.500.12123/16650
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/16650
https://doi.org/10.58149/snd3-9s20
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Granjas Lecheras
Pastoreo
Impacto Ambiental
Carbono
Sostenibilidad
Emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero
Secuestro de Carbono
Dairy Farms
Grazing
Environmental Impact
Carbon
Sustainability
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Carbon Sequestration
Tambos
Descripción
Sumario:Grazing systems have the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve C balance through soil C sequestration. The inclusion of soil organic carbon (SOC) balance in farm scale models is needed to assess the C balance of grazing dairy systems. The objective of this work was to present and evaluate the sensitivity of a simplified model developed to estimate C balance of dairy production systems in the Pampas region of Argentina. The model, called PastorC-Tambo, combines three interrelated sub-models: a sub-model of dry matter intake (DMI), a sub-model of GHG emissions, and a sub-model of SOC balance. To assess the sensitivity of the model, different forage productivities (high: 18, 7.5, and 27 t DM/ha, medium: 12, 5 and 18 t DM/ha, and low: 6, 2.5, and 9 t DM/ha for alfalfa, oat, and maize silage, respectively), concentrate supplementation levels (350, 250, and 150 g/l milk for high, medium, and low, respectively), stocking rates (from 0.27 to 3.56 cows/ha, with use efficiencies of 25, 45, 65, and 85%), effluent treatment system, and milking time, were simulated for representative dairy production systems. C balance estimates ranged between -2.54 and 0.64 t C/ha. Balance improved with the rise in forage productivity and declined as stocking rates increased. Increased concentrate supplementation improved C balance at constant forage productivity and stocking rate. Effluent treatment systems also affected C balance. Storage in anaerobic lagoons had the lowest C balance, while the inclusion of solids separation and agronomic reuse improved it. Anaerobic digestion also increased the C balance compared to anaerobic lagoons. PastorC-Tambo proved to be sensitive to changes in the C balance of commercial dairy farms in the Pampas region of Argentina.