Methane Emission Measurement from Beef Cattle Feedlot Using EC System.

Cattle feedlots in the US are one of the primary sources of methane. Sound understanding of magnitude and variability of the current emission is crucial to determine mitigation strategies suitable for these systems. However, field measurements are limited, and there is a need for more accurate quantification of greenhouse gases emission. The objectives of this study are to estimate methane emissions from a commercial beef cattle feedlot using eddy covariance instruments and to investigate the variables controlling the temporal dynamics of methane fluxes. A close-path eddy covariance system (G1301-f, Picarro, USA) was used to collect high frequency time-series data of CH₄ above a feedlot in Western Kansas. Fluxes were calculated from the gas measurements in conjunction with wind data collected by a 3-D sonic anemometer (CSAT3, Campbell Sci., USA). Results from this study will help in reducing uncertainty in greenhouse gas emission inventories and in identifying viable greenhouse gas reduction strategies.