Climate Smart Agriculture: Livestock Systems

This microcredential introduces the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in livestock systems (enteric fermentation, forage production, and manure) and will assist learners in identifying livestock management practices to reduce GHG emissions and sequester carbon. Based on current research and best practices, learners will develop farm-specific strategies for their livestock operation that reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration.  

By the end of this training, learners will develop farm-specific strategies for a livestock farming operation that reduces GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration. This training allows learners to build upon strategies developed in the Climate Smart Fundamentals microcredential, with strategies specific to a livestock operation. 

You will: 

• ​Observe current and emerging practices
• ​Explore farm-specific strategies to prioritize and implement beneficial management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration
• ​Livestock nutrition and feeding strategies to increase efficiency, profits and reduce emissions (including novel supplementation strategies)  
• ​Advanced grazing management to reduce methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration
• Pasture assessments, including soil health.  
• Management of liquid manures (both in storage, and in field application)
• ​Livestock-cropland integration for cover crop management and soil fertility 
• ​Select strategies that align with your operation’s goals, anticipate the impact of implementing chosen strategies and measure the success 

 Learners will be required to: 

• ​Refine Climate Smart livestock agricultural goals for their operation 
• ​Justify the choice of livestock farm-specific strategies to reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration, using research and existing best practices
• ​Develop an implementation plan for chosen strategies

By the end of this training, learners will develop farm-specific strategies for a livestock farming operation that reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration. 

• Climate Smart Agriculture: Cropping Systems
• Climate Smart Agriculture: Fundamentals