U.S. Livestock Protocol

The Livestock Protocol addresses GHG emission reductions associated with installing a manure biogas control system for livestock operations, such as dairy cattle and swine farms.

Current Protocol Version(s) Available for Project Submittal Adoption Date Notes and Supporting Documents
U.S. Livestock Protocol Version 4.0

(Previous versions)

January 23, 2013 Errata and Clarifications to U.S. Livestock Protocol Version 4.0 (July 19, 2023)

U.S. Livestock Protocol V4.0 Summary

ARB Compliance Offset Protocol for Livestock Projects

Comparison of Reserve U.S. Livestock Protocol to ARB Compliance Offset Protocol for Livestock Projects

Protocol Revision

Current update in progress

The U.S. Livestock Protocol is currently undergoing an update. Stakeholders may submit revision suggestions to [email protected].

Protocol Supporting Documents

The documents and tools below are made available to account holders upon request. The tools are designed to help livestock project developers organize their project data and facilitate verification. Use of the tools is optional; however, it may be useful in identifying important aspects of the Livestock Protocol and streamlining verification. Whether the project developer decides to use the Reserve’s Calculation Tool or their own, the tool must be submitted to the Reserve during verification.

Reserve Livestock Calculation Tools
Protocol Version Relevant Document/Tool Description
U.S. Livestock Protocol Version 4.0 Reserve U.S. Livestock Calculation Tool (February 2024) The Reserve has developed the Livestock Calculation Tool to assist with the quantification of projects using the Livestock Protocol. Use of this tool is optional, but only the most current version should be used for project quantification. Please inform the Reserve of any issues that arise while using the tool by contacting [email protected].
ARB Livestock Projects Compliance Offset Protocol Livestock Calculation Tool (February 2024)
Project Registration Documents
Document Description Required Phase Privilege
Livestock Project Submittal Form A proposal to undertake a livestock gas capture and destruction project. Project Submittal Public
Livestock Baseline Diagram Diagrammatic representation of the waste management system existing on the project site prior to project implementation. Project Submittal Public
Project System Diagram A project diagram is required for non-sequestration projects. See the example livestock diagram for recommended format and content. Verification Private
Livestock Sample Monitoring Report This report is required when a project elects to take a zero-credit reporting period (see section 3.4.7 of the Reserve Program Manual) or when choosing verification period Option 3 (see section 8 of the Livestock Project Protocol). Verification Private
Reserve Livestock Calculation Tool The Reserve has developed the Livestock Calculation Tool to assist with the quantification of projects using the U.S. Livestock Protocol. Project developers may use the Reserve Livestock Calculation tool but are not required to do so. Whichever calculation tool that is utilized by the project developer must be submitted to the verification body and the Reserve during verification. Verification Private
Livestock Project Design Document The purpose of this document is to assist livestock project developers in identifying high areas of risk, highlight important aspects of the U.S. Livestock Protocol, and facilitate verification. To request a copy, please send an email to [email protected] and indicate your Reserve Project ID number and dates of the current reporting period. Verification Private

Protocol Development & Previous Versions

Use the links below to access information about the original protocol development process and view previous versions of the Livestock Protocol. Public comments, staff responses to public comments, workgroup participants, and other supporting documents can also be found here.

Click a version of the protocol below to access more information:

Please contact the Reserve with questions or comments.