Methane from manure

Managing climate-impacting emissions biologically

Closing the carbon cycle in livestock systems
Methane associated with livestock manure is an integral part of the carbon biological cycle.
Its emission is linked to the microbiological dynamics that accompany the management of slurry, digestate, and the storage and agronomic use phases.

SOP addresses manure-derived methane as a process to be managed, within a systemic approach to the biological management of farms.

When the carbon cycle is managed coherently, emissions are reduced and the system becomes more efficient.

Closing the carbon cycle in livestock systems

 

Methane associated with livestock manure is an integral part of the carbon biological cycle.
Its emissions are linked to the microbiological dynamics that accompany the management of slurry, digestate, and the storage and agronomic use phases.

SOP treats manure-derived methane as a process to be managed, integrated within a systemic approach to the biological management of farms.

When the carbon cycle is managed coherently, emissions are reduced and the system becomes more efficient.

From slurry to digestate: continuity of the carbon cycle


The carbon cycle in manure includes:

  • the slurry production phase

  • any anaerobic digestion

  • digestate management

  • storage and field application

Each phase contributes to the overall emission balance. 

Continuous biological management across these phases is the key to reducing residual methane emissions.

Methane as an expression of the biological process


Methane develops in the presence of:

  • anaerobic fermentations

  • availability of organic carbon

  • specific microbiological conditions

In this sense, methane represents an indicator of the biological process performance, which can be guided toward greater stability.

Acting on methane means influencing the process conditions, not just the final emissions.

1

Biogas: energy valorization and open process

Anaerobic digestion allows part of the potential methane to be captured, producing renewable energy.
The biodigester represents an energy valorization phase within a broader system.

After the biodigester, the biological process continues through the storage and application phases of the digestate.

2

Post-biogas biological management and residual methane

In the post-biogas stage:

  • digestate microbiology remains active

  • residual carbon continues to interact with the environment

  • emission potential can arise if the process is not stable

SOP acts by promoting:

  • microbial balance

  • continuity of the biological process

  • greater manure stability

SOP LAGOON operates at this stage as a biological process lever, contributing to the progressive reduction of residual emissions.

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Methane and ammonia: distinct cycles, integrated approach

The SOP approach to digestate management is based on:

  • understanding biological cycles

  • observing real-world processes

  • field trials under operational conditions

Available evidence supports a progressive and integrated management approach, capable of improving digestate quality and the overall sustainability of the system.

Climate, environmental, and institutional alignment

Biological management of manure-derived methane is aligned with:

  • climate mitigation strategies

  • emission reduction targets

  • ESG criteria in agri-food supply chains

  • environmental sustainability policies

Science and process management

The SOP approach is based on:

  • study of biological cycles

  • observation of microbiological dynamics

  • field trials under real operational conditions

Available evidence supports a progressive and systemic management of emissions, aimed at the continuous improvement of the process.

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Digestate and post-biogas

Frequent questions about Manure, Digestate, Emissions

What does biological manure management mean according to SOP?
For SOP, biological manure management means considering slurry and digestate as active biological systems. By managing microbiological dynamics, SOP works to improve stability, agronomic quality and emission control, transforming manure into a resource that is functional to the farm system.
Learn more: Slurry and ammonia
How does SOP contribute to reducing ammonia emissions in livestock farming?
SOP addresses ammonia reduction by improving the efficiency of the nitrogen cycle. It acts on the biological conditions of the manure system and the livestock environment, promoting more stable processes that reduce losses and improve nutrient utilization.
Learn more: Slurry and ammonia
Does biogas completely solve the emission problem?
According to SOP, anaerobic digestion represents an important phase of energy valorization. After the biodigester, biological management of digestate becomes crucial to complete the process, reduce residual emissions and improve integration with crop production.
Learn more: Digestate and post-biogas
How does SOP contribute to emission reduction targets?
SOP acts on the biological processes that influence ammonia, methane and other gas emissions. Improving system efficiency makes it possible to reduce losses and increase the functional use of resources. Learn more: Methane from manure
How does SOP contribute to reducing manure odors?
SOP addresses manure odor issues by acting on the biological processes that regulate fermentations within the manure system. When manure is biologically unbalanced, undesired fermentations increase, generating odorous compounds. Through biological manure management, SOP works to stabilize the system, reducing odor production while simultaneously improving the agronomic quality of the manure..
Learn more: Slurry and ammonia