Regional data of manure quantity and composition is needed e.g. when planning efficient manure use and making emission inventories. The data can be calculated as a mass balance starting from animal feed and excretion and proceeding all the way through animal housing and manure storage. Thus the manure data is also made available in three steps: ex animal, ex housing and ex storage. While some countries have national calculation systems, many do not. Now Manure Standards project has developed a basic calculation tool for regional manure data generation for anyone to adopt.
The tool enables manure calculation on three different levels depending on the availability of the input data required. Tier 1 approach is based on the general coefficients and animal categories listed in the EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory Guidebook (2016) and only the national numbers of different animals are needed as input. Tier 2 uses national default values for excretion, while the input data on the animal housing technologies and manure storage solutions are based on national information inserted by the user. Tier 3 contains the entire mass balance and uses national input data for animal feeding and products, animal housing and manure storages.
The tool was developed by Estonian University of Life Sciences with the help of partners from all Baltic Sea countries. It is based on the Danish normative manure system (DIAS report no 7), but was slightly modified during the development to fit the needs of the different Baltic Sea countries.
While the calculation tool is currently adapted to the Baltic Sea region, in the future it could be used throughout Europe as a standardized method for manure monitoring. The tools are dynamic and can be updated and adapted to changes in production technologies and legislation. Some national modifications may also be needed, but if the basis is joint for the different countries, also the results are better comparable.
The information gained from the tool can serve the needs of several stakeholders even if its use may be restricted to expert organisations. The resulting regional data on manure quantities and composition can be used in policymaking, in environmental agencies and by other authorities directing and inspecting manure management and use. Also, organisations working on reporting the agricultural emissions and nutrient balances (NPK from manure) on national and EU level need the resulting data. Furthermore, plans to enhance manure use e.g. via manure processing require data on the availability and characteristics of manure which the tool can serve.
Dowload the tool and its manual by clicking the links below:
The regional level calculation tool
The manual for using the regional level calculation tool