Effect of Mootral—a garlic- and citrus-extract-based feed additive—on enteric methane emissions in feedlot cattle

Abstract: Enteric methane (CH4) production is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock globally with beef cattle contributing 5.95% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Various mitigation strategies have been developed to reduce enteric emissions with limited success. In vitro studies have shown a reduction in CH4 emissions when using garlic and citrus extracts. However, there is paucity of data regarding in vivo studies investigating the effect of garlic and citrus extracts in cattle. The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the response of Angus × Hereford cross steers consuming the feed additive Mootral, which contains extracts of both garlic and citrus, on CH4 yield (g/kg dry matter intake [DMI]). Twenty steers were randomly assigned to two treatments: control (no additive) and Mootral supplied at 15 g/d in a completely randomized design with a 2-wk covariate and a 12-wk data collection periods. Enteric CH4 emissions were measured using the GreenFeed system during the covariate period and experimental weeks 2, 6, 9, and 12. CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) by steers remained similar in both treatments for weeks 2 to 9. In week 12, there was a significant decrease in CH4 yield (23.2%) in treatment compared to control steers mainly because the steers were consuming all the pellets containing the additive. However, overall CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) during the entire experimental period was not significantly different. Carbon dioxide yield (g/kg DMI) and oxygen consumption (g/kg DMI) did not differ between treatments during the entire experimental period. DMI, average daily gain, and feed efficiency also remained similar in control and supplemented steers. The in vivo results showed that Mootral may have a potential to be used as a feed additive to reduce enteric CH4 production and yield in beef cattle but needs further investigation under various dietary regimen.

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Net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from feed additive use in California dairy cattle

10.1101/2020.05.26.116277 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoyu Feng ◽

Ermias Kebreab

Keyword(s):

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Carbon Footprint ◽

Crop Production ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Dairy Production ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Enteric Methane

AbstractThe livestock industry is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and there is an increasing demand for the industry to reduce its carbon footprint. Several studies have shown that feed additives 3-nitroxypropanol and nitrate to be effective in reducing enteric methane emissions. The objective of this study was to estimate the net mitigating effect of using 3-nitroxypropanol and nitrate on total greenhouse gas emissions in California dairy industry. A life cycle assessment approach was used to conduct a cradle-to-farm gate environmental impact analysis based on dairy production system in California. Emissions associated with crop production, feed additive production, enteric methane, farm management, and manure storage were calculated and expressed as kg CO2 equivalents (CO2e) per kg of energy corrected milk. The total greenhouse gas emissions from baseline, two 3-nitroxypropanol and three nitrate scenarios were 1.12, 0.993, 0.991, 1.08, 1.07, and 1.09 kg CO2e/kg energy corrected milk. The average net reduction rates for 3-nitroxypropanol and nitrate were 11.7% and 3.95%, respectively. In both cases, using the feed additives on the whole herd slightly improved overall carbon footprint reduction compared to limiting its use during lactation phase. Although both 3-nitroxypropanol and nitrate had effects on decreasing the total greenhouse gas emission, the former was much more effective with no known safety issues in reducing the carbon footprint of dairy production in California.

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Calculation of new enteric methane emission factors for small ruminants in western Kenya highlights the heterogeneity of smallholder production systems

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an19631 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 61 (6) ◽

pp. 602

Author(s):

J. P. Goopy ◽

P. W. Ndung'u ◽

A. Onyango ◽

P. Kirui ◽

K. Butterbach-Bahl

Keyword(s):

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Critical Role ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Emission Factors ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Ch4 Emissions ◽

Ch4 Production ◽

Tier I

Context African livestock play a critical role in food security and the wider economy, while accounting for >70% of African agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Accurate estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock are required for inventory purposes and to assess the efficacy of mitigation measures. While there is an increasing number of studies assessing methane (CH4) emissions of cattle, little attention has been paid to small ruminants (SR). Aims Enteric CH4 emissions were assessed from 1345 SR in three counties of western Kenya to develop more accurate emission factors (EF) for enteric CH4 from sheep and goats. Methods Using on-farm animal activity data, feed samples were also analysed to produce estimates of feed digestibility by season and region. The combined data were also used to estimate daily CH4 production by season, location and class of animal to produce new EF for annual enteric CH4 production of SR. Key results Mean dry-matter digestibility of the feed basket was in the range of 58–64%, depending on region and season (~10% greater than Tier I estimates). EF were similar for sheep (4.4 vs 5 kg CH4/year), but lower for goats (3.7 vs 5 kg CH4/year) than those given for SR in developing countries in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Tier I) estimates. Conclusions Published estimates of EF for SR range widely across Africa. In smallholder systems in western Kenya, SR appear to be managed differently from cattle, and EF appear to be driven by different management considerations. Implications The findings highlighted the heterogenous nature of SR enteric emissions in East Africa, but also suggested that emissions from SR are quantitatively less important than other estimates suggest compared with cattle.

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The use of plant bioactive compounds to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farmed ruminants

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production - Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science ◽

10.19103/as.2020.0077.13 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 231-260

Author(s):

Cécile Martin ◽

◽

Vincent Niderkorn ◽

Gaëlle Maxin ◽

Jessie Guyader ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Secondary Compounds ◽

Research Area ◽

Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Plant Lipids ◽

Ruminant Diets

This chapter focuses on the opportunity to use plant bioactive compounds in ruminant diets for their potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, particularly enteric methane. Nitrous oxide emissions related to urinary nitrogen waste are addressed when information is available. The main families considered are plant lipids and plant secondary compounds (tannins, saponins, halogenated compounds and essential oils). The effects of these compounds in vivo, their mechanisms of action, and their potential adoption on farms are discussed, and future trends in this research area are highlighted.

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An integrative bio-physical approach to determine the greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sinks of a cow and her offspring in a beef cattle operation: A system dynamics approach

Agricultural Systems ◽

10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103286 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 195 ◽

pp. 103286

Author(s):

James Blignaut ◽

Heinz Meissner ◽

Hendrik Smith ◽

Linde du Toit

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

System Dynamics ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Carbon Sinks ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Physical Approach

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Does partial replacement of corn with glycerin in beef cattle diets affect in vitro ruminal fermentation, gas production kinetic, and enteric greenhouse gas emissions?

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0199577 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. e0199577 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Pedro Del Bianco Benedeti ◽

Mozart Alves Fonseca ◽

Teshome Shenkoru ◽

Marcos Inácio Marcondes ◽

Eduardo Marostegan de Paula ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Gas Production ◽

Partial Replacement ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Gas Emissions

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Effects of Feeding Encapsulated Nitrate to Beef Cattle on Ammonia and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Their Manure in a Short-Term Manure Storage System

Journal of Environmental Quality ◽

10.2134/jeq2016.02.0056 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 45 (6) ◽

pp. 1979-1987 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Chanhee Lee ◽

Rafael C. Araujo ◽

Karen M. Koenig ◽

Michael L. Hile ◽

Eileen E. Fabian-Wheeler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Storage System ◽

Short Term ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Manure Storage

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Uncertainties in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. beef cattle

Journal of Cleaner Production ◽

10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.03.087 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 75 ◽

pp. 31-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Quentin M. Dudley ◽

Adam J. Liska ◽

Andrea K. Watson ◽

Galen E. Erickson

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Gas Emissions

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Effects of N Addition Frequency and Quantity on Hydrocotyle vulgaris Growth and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Wetland Microcosms

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11061520 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1520 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Qian-Wei Li ◽

Xiao-Ya Zhang ◽

Jun-Qin Gao ◽

Ming-Hua Song ◽

Jin-Feng Liang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Experimental Period ◽

N2o Emission ◽

N Deposition ◽

N Addition ◽

Soil System ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Affected Plant ◽

Biomass N

(1) Background: Increased attention has been paid to atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition caused by human activities. N deposition quantity has seriously affected plant productivity and greenhouse gas emissions in wetlands, but the effects of N deposition frequency remain unclear. (2) Methods: We assembled microcosms, which contained vegetative individuals (ramets) of Hydrocotyle vulgaris and soil and subjected them to three frequencies (N addition 1, 2, and 14 times during the experimental period) crossed with three quantities (5, 15, and 30 g N m−2 yr−1) for 90 days. (3) Results: The quantity of N addition significantly increased the root, stem biomass, and ramets number of H. vulgaris, but decreased the spike biomass. N addition quantity significantly promoted N2O emission and inhibited CH4 emission but had no significant effect on CO2 emission. The increasing frequency of N addition significantly promoted the root-to-shoot ratio and decreased N2O emission under high N addition quantity. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, N addition alters the reproductive strategy of H. vulgaris and enhances its invasiveness, promoting N2O emission but not the CO2 equivalent of the H. vulgaris-soil system.

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Emerging opportunities for developing a diversified land sector economy in Australia’s northern savannas

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj18005 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 315 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Jeremy Russell-Smith ◽

Kamaljit K. Sangha

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

National Parks ◽

Dry Season ◽

Annual Rainfall ◽

Focal Region ◽

Wet Season ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Northern Regions

We explore sustainable land sector opportunities for Australia’s 1.2 million km2 northern savanna rangelands where extensive beef cattle pastoralism is the predominant contemporary land use. Our focal region is characterised by mean annual rainfall exceeding 600 mm, ecologically bountiful wet season water availability followed by 6–8 months of surface water deficit, mostly nutrient-poor soils, internationally significant biodiversity and carbon stock values, very extensive dry season fires in pastorally unproductive settings, a sparse rural population (0.14 persons km–2) comprising a high proportion of Indigenous people, and associated limited infrastructure. Despite relatively high beef cattle prices in recent seasons and property values escalating at a spectacular ~6% p.a. over the past two decades, long-term economics data show that, for most northern regions, typical pastoral enterprises are unprofitable and carry significant debt. Pastoral activities can also incur very significant environmental impacts on soil and scarce dry season water resources, and greenhouse gas emissions, which currently are not accounted for in economic sustainability assessments. Over the same period, the conservation sector (including National Parks, Indigenous Protected Areas) has been expanding rapidly and now occupies 25% of the region. Since 2012, market-based savanna burning projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions occur over a further 25%. Returns from nature-based tourism focussed particularly on maintaining intact freshwater systems and associated recreational fishing opportunities dwarf returns from pastoralism. The growth of these latter industries illustrates the potential for further development of profitable ‘ecosystem services’ markets as part of a more environmentally and socially sustainable diversified regional land sector economy. We outline some of the imminent challenges involved with, and opportunities for developing, this new industry sector.

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