Ammonia emissions from livestock production: challenges, causes and mitigation approaches

Livestock production contributes significantly to the emission of ammonia (NH₃), a gas that negatively affects air quality, soil and water systems and contributes to environmental acidification. According to FAO data and recent research, livestock production is responsible for more than 60% of total ammonia emissions, with cattle production accounting for a significant share. The main source of ammonia is nitrogenous substances from manure, especially urea from urine, which is rapidly converted to ammonia. The level of emissions is influenced by numerous factors: diet composition, digestive efficiency, manure management, microclimatic conditions and animal husbandry. An effective emission reduction strategy includes optimizing nutrition, especially crude protein content, balancing key minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, as well as proper storage and application of fertilizers. Understanding the dynamics of nitrogen within the ruminant organism and the fertilizer system is crucial for reducing losses in the form of ammonia. In addition to conventional measures, precision livestock farming technologies are gaining increasing importance, which enable individual monitoring of production and animal health, thereby contributing to better utilization of nutrients and reducing the emission footprint. A review of current knowledge indicates the need for integrated approaches that combine feeding, manure management and monitoring technologies to achieve sustainable and environmentally friendly livestock production.