Canadian dairy farms are under the microscope as researchers at Dalhousie University leverage satellite data and artificial intelligence to tackle methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to climate change. Methane emissions from dairy farms, particularly from cattle and manure management, have risen sharply over the past 130 years.
The study, which utilized data from NASA and the European Space Agency, offers a “precision and accuracy” framework to monitor emissions across 575 dairy farms and 380 processors nationwide. Findings indicate emissions peak during winter months, with Ontario leading the country in methane concentration. The research also highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on production methods and supply chains, which caused unexpected shifts in emission levels.
Proposed solutions include data-driven policies targeting high-emission periods and provinces, as well as farm-level interventions such as adjusting feed composition and incorporating energy-efficient technologies like solar panels. These strategies align with Canada’s broader climate commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40–45% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050.
The study’s conclusions, shared with government agencies and industry stakeholders, underscore the transformative potential of integrating advanced monitoring tools with actionable mitigation strategies to combat climate change.
