Estimating methane emissions from enteric fermentation for the UK greenhouse gas inventory

The northern beef cattle herd accounts for more than half of Australia’s beef cattle population, and is a major source of anthropogenic methane emissions for Australia. National Greenhouse Gas Inventory predictions of methane output from Australian beef cattle are based on a predictive equation developed for British breeds of sheep and cattle offered temperate forage-based diets. However, tropical forage diets offered to cattle in northern Australia differ markedly from temperate forage-based diets used in the United Kingdom to develop the predictive equations. In this paper we review recent respiration chamber measurements of daily methane production for Brahman cattle offered a tropical forage or high grain diet, and compare them with values predicted using methodologies of the Australian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. We conclude that a reliable inventory of methane emissions for cattle in northern Australia can only be achieved after a wider range of tropical forage species has been investigated. Some opportunities for reducing methane emissions of beef cattle by dietary manipulation are discussed.

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Greenhouse-gas mitigation potential of agro-industrial by-products in the diet of dairy goats in Spain: a life-cycle perspective

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an15620 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 646 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

G. Pardo ◽

I. Martin-Garcia ◽

A. Arco ◽

D. R. Yañez-Ruiz ◽

R. Moral ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Dairy Goat ◽

Enteric Fermentation ◽

Production Chain ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Dietary Strategies ◽

By Products

Goat milk production is an important agricultural resource in the Mediterranean basin. Market demands and scarcity of pastures during drought periods has led to farms becoming more intensive and based on imported concentrate feeds. The use of alternative feedstuffs from agro-industry can help decrease dependence on external concentrates, while preventing the environmental issues associated with livestock production and by-product disposal. From a life-cycle assessment perspective, we investigated the change on greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions of replacing a conventional dairy goat diet in southern Spain with two alternative dietary strategies, including tomato waste or olive by-products silages. The effect on enteric methane emissions and milk productivity was assessed through specific feeding trials. Experimental data were integrated within a modelling framework comprising different submodels to describe the farm system and associated production chain. A new model describing carbon and nitrogen losses from solid waste was applied to estimate the emissions associated with the baseline scenarios for food by-product management. The assessment revealed that the two dietary strategies achieve GHG reductions (~12–19% per kg milk). In both cases, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions from crop production were partially reduced through the displacement of typical concentrate ingredients. An additional mitigation effect was obtained when including tomato wastes in the diet because it reduced the methane emissions from enteric fermentation. Results suggested that use of agro-industrial residues for feeding is a feasible mitigation option in this case. However, as organic by-products could have alternative uses (bioenergy, soil amendment), with different implications for land use and soil carbon stocks, a more complete overview of both scenarios is recommended. Potential trade-offs from non-GHG categories may play an important role in a decision-making process.

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Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock and mitigation options in Nigeria

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v48i5.3219 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (5) ◽

pp. 328-342

Author(s):

M. A Adeyemi ◽

E. O. Akinfala

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Global Warming ◽

Greenhouse Gases ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Management Practices ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Enteric Fermentation ◽

Changement Climatique

Greenhouse gases are becoming devastating on agriculture and environment because of its effect on climate and global warming. The aim of this review is to provide update on livestock greenhouse gases emission and rekindle available mitigation strategies. Recently, global warming and climate change have become one of the most discussed issues globally because of their negative effect on ecosystem worldwide. The livestock sub-sector as a major source of greenhouse gas emission, has been identified to contribute substantially to the recent rise in global warming and climate change. Livestock, most importantly ruminants plays a major role in the emission of methane, one of the potent greenhouse gases. This methane is usually released through enteric fermentation in animals and manure management system, though the latter account for smaller quantity. Estimate of methane emission inventory from livestock in Nigeria showed that 96.15 % of methane produced by livestock was by ruminants with cattle alone accounting for 74.06 %. With this background, strategies to date for reducing methane emissions should centre on ruminant. Efforts to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation generally focus on options for improving production efficiency. This has been demonstrated with intensive animal production systems. However, in Nigeria, this system has been successful only for non-ruminants while the extensive and semi extensive systems are being practiced for ruminants. In view of this, options for reducing emissions must be selected to be consistent with country-specific circumstances. Those circumstances should include animal management practices (including cultural traditions), nutrition and economic development priorities. Les gaz à effet de serre deviennent dévastateurs de l'agriculture et de l'environnement en raison de son effet sur le climat et le réchauffement de la planète. L'objectif de cet examen est de fournir une mise à jour sur les stratégies d'atténuation disponibles des gaz à effet de serre de bétail. Récemment, le réchauffement climatique et le changement climatique sont devenus l'une des questions les plus discutées à l'échelle mondiale en raison de leur effet négatif sur l'écosystème mondial. Le sous-secteur de l'élevage en tant que source majeure d'émissions de gaz à effet de serre, a été identifié pour contribuer de manière substantielle à la hausse récente du réchauffement de la planète et du changement climatique. Le bétail, plus important encore, les ruminants jouent un rôle majeur dans l'émission de méthane, l'un des gaz à effet de serre puissants. Ce méthane est généralement libéré par la fermentation entérique chez les animaux et le système de gestion de fumier, bien que ces derniers représentent une plus petite quantité. L'estimation des stocks d'émissions de méthane provenant du bétail au Nigéria a montré que 96,15% de méthane produites par le bétail étaient par des ruminants avec des bovins à eux-mêmes représentant 74,06%. Avec ce contexte, des stratégies à ce jour pour réduire les émissions de méthane doivent être centrées sur le ruminant. Les efforts visant à réduire les émissions de méthane de la fermentation entérique se concentrent généralement sur les options d'amélioration de l'efficacité de la production. Cela a été démontré avec des systèmes de production d'animaux intensifs. Cependant, au Nigéria, ce système n'a abouti que pour les non-ruminants tandis que les systèmes étendus et semi-étendus sont pratiqués pour les ruminants. Compte tenu de cela, les options de réduction des émissions doivent être sélectionnées pour être cohérentes avec des circonstances spécifiques à chaque pays. Ces circonstances devraient inclure des pratiques de gestion des animaux (y compris des traditions culturelles), des priorités de nutrition et de développement économique

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Analysis of uncertainties in the estimates of nitrous oxide and methane emissions in the UK's greenhouse gas inventory for agriculture

Atmospheric Environment ◽

10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.10.012 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 82 ◽

pp. 94-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Alice E. Milne ◽

Margaret J. Glendining ◽

Pat Bellamy ◽

Tom Misselbrook ◽

Sarah Gilhespy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrous Oxide ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas Inventory

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Mitigating Ruminant Methane: Exploring the Commercialisation of Technologies for Reducing Livestock Methane Emissions

10.26686/wgtn.17135930 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Mitchell Easter

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Development Strategy ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Live Weight ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Enteric Fermentation ◽

Methane Mitigation ◽

Novel Technologies ◽

Commercial Potential

<p>Climate change is a global issue requiring unified action. Methane gas is a major component of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming. This project is exploring the commercial potential of Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium (PGgRc) developed technologies designed to mitigate the largest source of agricultural methane emissions. These technologies are methane vaccines and inhibitors targeting emissions from enteric fermentation in ruminant livestock. The two technologies share functional aspects but require different administration and upkeep. As novel technologies designed for a developing market the commercial potential of PGgRc’s methane vaccines and inhibitors is uncertain. To validate the potential methane mitigation products this project focuses on farmer adoption and interaction with the technologies. Interviews with farmers around New Zealand have been used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of methane vaccines and inhibitors from the perspective of the end user. A thematic analysis of the transcribed data highlighted various concerns among the participating farmers and provides a map of areas needing further investigation when moving forward with developing the technologies. Of key importance was the value methane vaccines and inhibitors offered the participants. Currently, methane mitigation offers no financial benefits to participants and good feelings about acting against climate change are not substantial enough to mitigate purchase and administration costs. There is potential that using PGgRc’s methane vaccines and inhibitors could improve livestock productivity, but it is yet to be verified based on current testing and development. Establishing that using the technologies leads to increased live weight gain or milk and wool production could provide profitability benefits that farmers would value. This hinges on any benefits providing substantial enough gains to the farmer to offset the purchase and administration costs. If no productivity benefits are identified government regulations creating a methane cost or subsidising the technologies could be necessary for methane vaccines and inhibitors to have value within the agricultural sector. Alternatively, if consumer purchasing behaviour shifts in favour of low emissions products the agricultural sector will need to shift production methods to remain competitive in the new market environment. PGgRc aims to employ a licensing business model using the methane vaccine and inhibitor IP they possess. Partnering with an experienced company would provide PGgRc with the market knowledge and manufacturing capabilities producing their technologies requires. As part of their development strategy they aim to develop their technology to a proof of concept stage before forming any production partnerships. This project highlights the critical factors for successfully commercialising PGgRc’s technologies. It is designed to guide the continued development of the methane mitigation technologies and help shape PGgRc’s market approach.</p>

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Whole-farm systems analysis of Australian dairy farm greenhouse gas emissions

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an12061 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 52 (11) ◽

pp. 998 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

K. M. Christie ◽

C. J. P. Gourley ◽

R. P. Rawnsley ◽

R. J. Eckard ◽

I. M. Awty

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Milk Production ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽

Animal Waste ◽

Enteric Fermentation ◽

Emissions Intensity

The Australian dairy industry contributes ~1.6% of the nation’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, emitting an estimated 9.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) per annum. This study examined 41 contrasting Australian dairy farms for their GHG emissions using the Dairy Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategies calculator, which incorporates Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Australian inventory methodologies, algorithms and emission factors. Sources of GHG emissions included were pre-farm embedded emissions associated with key farm inputs (i.e. grains and concentrates, forages and fertilisers), CO2 emissions from electricity and fuel consumption, methane emissions from enteric fermentation and animal waste management, and nitrous oxide emissions from animal waste management and nitrogen fertilisers. The estimated mean (±s.d.) GHG emissions intensity was 1.04 ± 0.17 kg CO2 equivalents/kg of fat and protein-corrected milk (kg CO2e/kg FPCM). Enteric methane emissions were found to be approximately half of total farm emissions. Linear regression analysis showed that 95% of the variation in total farm GHG emissions could be explained by annual milk production. While the results of this study suggest that milk production alone could be a suitable surrogate for estimating GHG emissions for national inventory purposes, the GHG emissions intensity of milk production, on an individual farm basis, was shown to vary by over 100% (0.76–1.68 kg CO2e/kg FPCM). It is clear that using a single emissions factor, such as milk production alone, to estimate any given individual farm’s GHG emissions, has the potential to either substantially under- or overestimate individual farms’ GHG emissions.

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Mitigating Ruminant Methane: Exploring the Commercialisation of Technologies for Reducing Livestock Methane Emissions

10.26686/wgtn.17135930.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Mitchell Easter

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Development Strategy ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Live Weight ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Enteric Fermentation ◽

Methane Mitigation ◽

Novel Technologies ◽

Commercial Potential

<p>Climate change is a global issue requiring unified action. Methane gas is a major component of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming. This project is exploring the commercial potential of Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium (PGgRc) developed technologies designed to mitigate the largest source of agricultural methane emissions. These technologies are methane vaccines and inhibitors targeting emissions from enteric fermentation in ruminant livestock. The two technologies share functional aspects but require different administration and upkeep. As novel technologies designed for a developing market the commercial potential of PGgRc’s methane vaccines and inhibitors is uncertain. To validate the potential methane mitigation products this project focuses on farmer adoption and interaction with the technologies. Interviews with farmers around New Zealand have been used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of methane vaccines and inhibitors from the perspective of the end user. A thematic analysis of the transcribed data highlighted various concerns among the participating farmers and provides a map of areas needing further investigation when moving forward with developing the technologies. Of key importance was the value methane vaccines and inhibitors offered the participants. Currently, methane mitigation offers no financial benefits to participants and good feelings about acting against climate change are not substantial enough to mitigate purchase and administration costs. There is potential that using PGgRc’s methane vaccines and inhibitors could improve livestock productivity, but it is yet to be verified based on current testing and development. Establishing that using the technologies leads to increased live weight gain or milk and wool production could provide profitability benefits that farmers would value. This hinges on any benefits providing substantial enough gains to the farmer to offset the purchase and administration costs. If no productivity benefits are identified government regulations creating a methane cost or subsidising the technologies could be necessary for methane vaccines and inhibitors to have value within the agricultural sector. Alternatively, if consumer purchasing behaviour shifts in favour of low emissions products the agricultural sector will need to shift production methods to remain competitive in the new market environment. PGgRc aims to employ a licensing business model using the methane vaccine and inhibitor IP they possess. Partnering with an experienced company would provide PGgRc with the market knowledge and manufacturing capabilities producing their technologies requires. As part of their development strategy they aim to develop their technology to a proof of concept stage before forming any production partnerships. This project highlights the critical factors for successfully commercialising PGgRc’s technologies. It is designed to guide the continued development of the methane mitigation technologies and help shape PGgRc’s market approach.</p>

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Prediction of methane emissions from dairy cows using multiple regression analysis

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200000958 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 2000 ◽

pp. 94-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

C. M. Yates ◽

S. B. Cammell ◽

J. France ◽

D. E. Beever

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Multiple Regression ◽

Dairy Herd ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Regression Equations ◽

Enteric Fermentation ◽

The Uk ◽

Year 2000

The UK is bound by the UN Framework Convention on climate change to reduce methane emissions to below 1990 levels by the year 2000. The Kyoto protocol requires a further cut of 12.5% by 2010. Ruminants are estimated to produce 74 Tg of methane per year (Benchar et al. 1998) which represents about 15% of total emissions (Crutzen et al., 1986). Therefore any reduction in the release of methane gas by enteric fermentation from the dairy herd is environmentally important. The objective of this study was to use data obtained from calorimetry trials to generate multiple regression equations predicting the levels and variability of methane emissions from dairy cows.

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