Calculation of Carbon Footprint Values of Cattle in Karapinar District According to Tier 2 Method

This study aims to examine the impact of cattle breeding on the carbon footprint in Karapınar district, a region where animal husbandry is the primary livelihood for most of the local population. The research material consists of numerical data on cattle raised in Karapınar district between 2020 and 2023, obtained from local public institutions and agricultural unions. The calculations were performed using the formulas provided in the IPCC guidelines, according to the Tier 2 method. The carbon footprint values determined were as follows: For enteric fermentation, the annual average was 1,795,316 kg CO₂e/kg of meat, and the daily average was 0.0025 kg CO₂e/kg of meat. For milk, the annual average was 1,063,359 kg CO₂e/L, and the daily average was 0.655 kg CO₂e/L. Similarly, for manure management, the annual average was 1,802,046 kg CO₂e/kg of meat, and the daily average was 0.00225 kg CO₂e/kg of meat. For milk, the annual average was 992,101 kg CO₂e/L, and the daily average was 0.61125 kg CO₂e/L. It is important to note that different Tier methods use varying values, which can lead to divergent results even for the same regions. Suggested strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions include: adjusting the roughage-to-concentrate ratio in the diet; using specific probiotics; adding fats to the diet; reducing feeding intervals; ensuring animals consume feed quickly; incorporating antibiotics to increase ruminal propionic acid levels; adding methane inhibitors like nitrates and sulfates to the diet; and promoting farm-based biogas production facilities.