Cover crops Increased soil C sequestration Improved soil nutrient Reduced fertilizer needs Requires extra time Non-commodity crops Reduced content Reduced weed growth and knowledge to indirect N2O planted in between rows of due to a Reduced wind and water Reduced irrigation needs manage, and some new emissions from soils commodity crops or during reduction in N leaching erosion Supplemental livestock feed techniques for growing fallow periods Reduced emissions from (extends grazing season, commodity crops fertilizer manufacture cattle weight gain) Requires more fuel use Increased profit for crop planting Conservation tillage Increased soil C sequestration Improved soil water Reduced fertilizer needs Potential increase in A range of cultivation Reduced indirect N2O retention and drainage Reduced fuel and labor costs herbicide use techniques (including emissions from reduction in Reduced water and wind from fewer field passes Increased pest threats in minimum till, strip till, run-off erosion Improved yields repetitive single designed to minimize Reduced emissions from commodity production soil disturbance for seed fertilizer manufacture placement, by allowing crop residue to remain on soil after planting Rotational or mob Increased soil C sequestration Increased plant cover and Increased herd size Requires careful livestock grazing on Reduced CH4 emissions productivity Can increase length of management in some pasture from Improved soil water grazing season areas with sensitive enteric fermentation Grazing practices that (due to improved feed) retention and drainage Reduced need for purchases species maximize plant health and Reduced and wind of feed diversity, while increasing erosion Pastures more able to the animal carrying capacity exclude weeds / exotic of the land species Potentially reduced herbicide costs Helps avoid burning fields as a management practice Reduced N2O and CH4 Reduced risk of accidental Processed solids can be used Digester technologies can Anaerobic digester Enclosed system in which emissions from manure toxic leakages (pathogens as bedding be expensive organic material such as management killed) Reduced need for fertilizers is broken down by Reduced emissions from Reduced ammonia and (as nutrient availability in manure microorganisms under fertilizer manufacture VOC emissions the digestate is increased) anaerobic conditions Electricity / heat generation
Cover crops Non-commodity crops planted in between rows of commodity crops or during fallow periods Increased soil C sequestration Reduced indirect N2O emissions from soils due to a reduction in N leaching Reduced emissions from fertilizer manufacture Improved soil nutrient content Reduced wind and water erosion Reduced fertilizer needs Reduced weed growth Reduced irrigation needs Supplemental livestock feed (extends grazing season, cattle weight gain) Increased profit Requires extra time and knowledge to manage, and some new techniques for growing commodity crops Requires more fuel use for crop planting Conservation tillage A range of cultivation techniques (including minimum till, strip till, designed to minimize soil disturbance for seed placement, by allowing crop residue to remain on soil after planting Increased soil C sequestration Reduced indirect N2O emissions from reduction in run-off Reduced emissions from fertilizer manufacture Improved soil water retention and drainage Reduced water and wind erosion Reduced fertilizer needs Reduced fuel and labor costs from fewer field passes Improved yields Potential increase in herbicide use Increased pest threats in repetitive single commodity production Rotational or mob livestock grazing on pasture Grazing practices that maximize plant health and diversity, while increasing the animal carrying capacity of the land Increased soil C sequestration Reduced CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation (due to improved feed) Increased plant cover and productivity Improved soil water retention and drainage Reduced and wind erosion Increased herd size Can increase length of grazing season Reduced need for purchases of feed Pastures more able to exclude weeds / exotic species Potentially reduced herbicide costs Helps avoid burning fields as a management practice Requires careful management in some areas with sensitive species Anaerobic digester Enclosed system in which organic material such as manure is broken down by microorganisms under anaerobic conditions Reduced N2O and CH4 emissions from manure management Reduced emissions from fertilizer manufacture Reduced risk of accidental toxic leakages (pathogens killed) Reduced ammonia and VOC emissions Processed solids can be used as bedding Reduced need for fertilizers (as nutrient availability in the digestate is increased) Electricity / heat generation Digester technologies can be expensive
Ag%20Protocol_Final.docx