Questionnaire for the assessment of manure management systems in Austria

Agricultural activities emit nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3) from a range of sources. It is mandatory for Austria to report these emissions on an annual basis and to reduce emissions. The effect of mitigation measures must be objectively proven. Emission inventories estimate emissions by multiplying activity data with emission factors. National inventories require the following input data: · National activity data (e.g. animal numbers, N excretion, manure management systems) · Emission factors: either default emission factors given in the inventory guidelines or country specific emission factors. The Division of Agricultural Engineering of the Department for Sustainable Agricultural Systems (ILT) on behalf of the Umweltbundesamt Ltd. updated the Austrian N2O, CH4 and NH3 emission inventory, sector manure management for the years 1990 – 2001. It became clear that there is only a very limited knowledge on animal husbandry and manure management systems in Austria. Better knowledge of Austrian manure management system distribution would not only allow a more accurate estimation of emissions, but would also offer the possibility of showing the effect of mitigation measures. At the moment, only one mitigation measure shows up in the inventory: the reduction of animal numbers. Other measures, e.g. covering slurry stores, can not be shown in the inventory. This situation is far from being satisfactory. In Europe, it is well acknowledged that reliable data on manure management system distribution are essential. Many countries have already put effort in assessing manure management system distribution. In Germany, Döhler et al. conducted a project with the aim to improve the inventory quality. In England and Wales, manure management system distribution was assessed by Smith et al. In Switzerland, the project “DYNAMO” was carried out. Questionnaires were distributed to 2,000 Swiss farms and detailed data on the housing system, and on the manure management were assessed. ILT keeps a vivid exchange of information with the scientists responsible for these projects. In Austria, the project “animal husbandry and manure management in Austria“ shall start soon. Following the Swiss methodology, c. 5,000 questionnaires shall be distributed to farmers. The project “Questionnaire for the assessment of manure management systems in Austria” developed the questionnaire following the Swiss methodology. It consists of the following parts: animal house and exercise yard, grazing management, waste water, manure storage, manure application, feeding, mineral fertilisers. Detailed data on the housing system and on the grazing management are assessed. The questionnaire asks about manure stores, manure processing and application. In the feeding section, farmers shall indicate animal diets. Amount and type of mineral fertiliser shall be filled in in the “mineral fertiliser” section.