DairyGEM

DairyGEM, currently at version 3.2, is a robust tool developed by USDA-ARS tailored for estimating ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in dairy production systems. This Education category software, specifically under the Science Tools subcategory, provides comprehensive simulations considering climate and farm management.

DairyGEM extends its analysis beyond farm boundaries to include GHG emissions involved in producing resources like machinery, fuel, electricity, and fertilizer. This program assumes that manure is applied to cropland for feed production but offers flexibility by accounting for manure exported for external uses. By using process-level simulations, it predicts emissions during different stages: in housing facilities, long-term storage, field application, and grazing.

The primary emissions DairyGEM focuses on include net carbon dioxide plus methane and nitrous oxide emissions. These predictions are based on daily simulations of feed use and manure handling, with annual values calculated by summing daily emissions.

The current version 3.2 supports a wide array of operating systems including Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, and 11. Previous iterations, such as 3.1 and 3.0, also contributed significantly to the model's development. DairyGEM can be a valuable free resource for those in the agricultural science field, aiding in precise emission estimations and farm management.

Pros:

• Detailed daily and annual emission predictions.
• Wide range of supported operating systems.
• Comprehensive coverage of emission sources on and off the farm.

Cons:

• Complexity might pose a steep learning curve for new users.
• Primarily focused on dairy production, limiting use for other agricultural systems.

Those interested in emission modeling for dairy production can download DairyGEM for free, benefiting from the insights offered by its detailed simulations and extensive resource incorporation.

It is not possible to confirm if there is a free download for this software available on the developer's website. We recommend checking the downloaded files with any free antivirus.

You may want to check out more software, such as Avantage BPM Foundation, Adding Machine or gitoolbox, which might be similar to DairyGEM.