Next Article in Journal
A Robust Ensemble Model for Plant Disease Detection Using Deep Learning Architectures
Previous Article in Journal
Effect of Application Techniques on Spray Quality Optimization in Sweet Pepper Cultivation in Protected Environments
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
AgriEngineering
Volume 7
Issue 5
10.3390/agriengineering7050158
agriengineering-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Spatial Distribution of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Variables in Compost Barn Dairy Systems

by
Ana Luíza Guimarães André
1,
Patrícia Ferreira Ponciano Ferraz
2,*,
Gabriel Araujo e Silva Ferraz
2,
Jacqueline Cardoso Ferreira
2,
Franck Morais de Oliveira
2,
Eduardo Mitke Brandão Reis
3,
Matteo Barbari
4 and
Giuseppe Rossi
4
1
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Lavras 37200-900, Brazil
2
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Lavras 37200-900, Brazil
3
Center for Biological and Nature Sciences, Federal University of Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco 69920-900, Brazil
4
Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, 50145 Florence, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
AgriEngineering 2025, 7(5), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7050158
Submission received: 1 April 2025 / Revised: 5 May 2025 / Accepted: 13 May 2025 / Published: 19 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Computer Applications and Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

The dairy sector plays a fundamental role in the economic development of numerous regions by creating jobs and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people. However, concerns related to animal welfare and environmental sustainability—particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—persist in intensive dairy systems. This study aimed to measure and assess the presence of GHGs, such as methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), in a compost barn facility, using spatial variability tools to analyze the distribution of these gasses at different heights (0.25 m and 1.5 m) relative to the animals’ bedding. Data were collected over five consecutive days using a prototype equipped with low-cost sensors. Geostatistical analysis was performed using R, and spatial distribution maps were generated with Surfer 13®. Results showed elevated CH4 concentrations at 0.25 m, exceeding values typically reported for similar systems values (60–117 ppm), while CO2 concentrations remained within the expected range (970–1480 ppm), suggesting low risk to animals, workers, and the environment. The findings highlight the importance of continuous environmental monitoring to promote sustainability and productivity in confined dairy operations.
Keywords: animal welfare; dairy cattle; carbon dioxide; geostatistics; methane; sustainability animal welfare; dairy cattle; carbon dioxide; geostatistics; methane; sustainability

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

André, A.L.G.; Ferraz, P.F.P.; Ferraz, G.A.e.S.; Ferreira, J.C.; de Oliveira, F.M.; Reis, E.M.B.; Barbari, M.; Rossi, G. Spatial Distribution of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Variables in Compost Barn Dairy Systems. AgriEngineering 2025, 7, 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7050158

AMA Style

André ALG, Ferraz PFP, Ferraz GAeS, Ferreira JC, de Oliveira FM, Reis EMB, Barbari M, Rossi G. Spatial Distribution of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Variables in Compost Barn Dairy Systems. AgriEngineering. 2025; 7(5):158. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7050158

Chicago/Turabian Style

André, Ana Luíza Guimarães, Patrícia Ferreira Ponciano Ferraz, Gabriel Araujo e Silva Ferraz, Jacqueline Cardoso Ferreira, Franck Morais de Oliveira, Eduardo Mitke Brandão Reis, Matteo Barbari, and Giuseppe Rossi. 2025. "Spatial Distribution of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Variables in Compost Barn Dairy Systems" AgriEngineering 7, no. 5: 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7050158

APA Style

André, A. L. G., Ferraz, P. F. P., Ferraz, G. A. e. S., Ferreira, J. C., de Oliveira, F. M., Reis, E. M. B., Barbari, M., & Rossi, G. (2025). Spatial Distribution of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Variables in Compost Barn Dairy Systems. AgriEngineering, 7(5), 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7050158

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop