Holos
From SCIANS
Contents |
HOLOS: Estimating and Reducing your Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Holos, farm modeling software, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, estimating greenhouse gas emissions
What is Holos?
Holos is computer software program designed to help farmers estimate their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their entire, integrated farm operation as a whole system. It is a tool to test possible ways of reducing these emissions from farms by use of a “possible scenario” system.
How do you use it?
You simply select a scenario from a list of options which scenario best describes your operation. The options available in Holos are:
- Crops/grassland/land use
- Beef cow-calf
- Beef feedlot
- Beef stocker or grasser
- Dairy
- Sheep - market lambs
- Sheep feedlot
- Swine
- Poultry
- Other animals
- Lineal tree plantings
You can then modify the scenario, such as planting trees, to see what effect each change has on your GHG emissions. Holos is a very user friendly program that helps you envision changes that may reduce your whole farm emissions before actually implementing them.
How does it work?
The program uses equations from the Intergovernmental Panel on climate change (IPCC) methods that have been tailored to Canadian conditions. These equations are a way to examine the relationships between various components on your farm rather than just focusing on individual aspects. Greater attention is paid to the practices and conditions that may have the more effect on decreasing your emissions. The amount of detail is also based upon how much supporting scientific information is available. Holos estimates GHG emissions based on a yearly time-step, your results are given as a report or comparative charts.
Further information
- More info on this topic is available in our pdf.
- Or email Holos@agr.gc.ca
- This program is available for download from www.agr.gc.ca/nlwis click on the “tools” link on the left side menu.
