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An innovative tool is now available to help Canadian cattle
producers measure greenhouse gas being emitted by their farm or ranch.
What is it?
A calculator that determines for your farm or ranch operation:
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Actual GHG Emissions – the
absolute total for your operation
in 1990, the current year and
projection for a future year.
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Gms. CO2e/lb. Live Weight Gain
– the relative GHG emissions per
pound of live weight gain.
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1990 Baseline Emissions – the
emissions that your operation
would have had if the production
in a given year used the methods
in practice in 1990.
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Annual Emission Reductions – the
emission reductions (or increases)
achieved relative to 1990.
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Reduction From Baseline – the per
cent reduction relative to 1990.
What does it provide?
The information will allow you to easily see
where improvements you have made to the
efficiency of your operation have
resulted in less greenhouse gas per unit
of production. The calculator may also
indicate areas of your farm or ranch where
future improvements could be made.
How does it work?
The calculator allows you to input operation and production
information from 1990 and today.
You may also input your plans for a future year to see how
they would affect your overall greenhouse gas emissions.
The input data is straightforward and should be available
from your own records. It takes about an hour to fill
out the input worksheets. The results are
calculated automatically and instantly.
The GHG Calculator is an easy to use series of spreadsheets
(MS Excel) available on a CD FREE of charge. All you have to
do is input operation and production information, and then let
the CD do all of the calculating. It will provide a snapshot of
what your farm or ranch produces for greenhouse gas in a year,
by per pound of live weight gain, and comparisons to a
benchmark. You will also be able to see a breakdown according to
various parts of your operation, i.e. animal management,
manure management, land management, fertilizer use, energy
use, and feed and bedding inputs.
Why go through the trouble you ask?
In this highly
competitive and global marketplace, good management practices
are essential to maintaining and increasing beef sales. The
Greenhouse Gas Calculator provides Canadian cattle producers
with an opportunity to not only learn about their operation’s
emissions, but also help to ensure the industry is doing the right
things to be part of the solution.
The GHG Calculator may show that you are improving
the environment at the same time as improving
production efficiency. It may also help you to identify
areas for improvement.
If you have any questions or comments please call or email:
Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
Phone: (403) 275-8558 • Fax (403) 274-5686
feedback@cattle.ca • www.cattle.ca
FREE of charge and easy to use.
The gathering of greenhouse gas information and preparation of the CCA
brochure have been funded by:
The Canadian Climate Change Action Fund, Awareness Partnership Project.
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