RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Farm returns to carbon credit creation with intensive rotational grazing
JF Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
FD Soil and Water Conservation Society
SP 91
OP 98
DO 10.2489/jswc.63.2.91
VO 63
IS 2
A1 D.J. Bosch
A1 K. Stephenson
A1 G. Groover
A1 B. Hutchins
YR 2008
UL http://www.jswconline.org/content/63/2/91.abstract
AB Intensive rotational grazing systems may produce multiple environmental services, including reduction of the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). This study investigates potential GHG emission reduction credits obtained by converting Virginia cow-calf and dairy farm operations from conventional grazing operations to rotational grazing. The quantity and value of the change in GHG emissions are estimated using new US Department of Energy guidelines. Credits are estimated under three boundary conditions and two accounting metrics. Results suggest conversion to rotational grazing can generate GHG reduction credits, but the financial benefits farms receive from emissions reductions are modest. The amount of credits received is sensitive to choice of accounting metric and boundary definition.