scholarly journals Methane Emissions, Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Different Lines of Beef Steers Reared on Pasture and Finished in Feedlot

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Méo-Filho ◽  
Alexandre Berndt ◽  
Cintia R. Marcondes ◽  
André F. Pedroso ◽  
Leandro S. Sakamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Performance And Emission ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Genetically Improved ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Enteric Methane Emissions

The present study aimed to investigate whether different lines of a composite breed (5/8 Charolais × 3/8 Zebu), formed at different times, and genetically improved, would result in differences in animal performance, enteric methane emissions, and carcass traits. Forty-six Canchim steers (15 months, 280 ± 33 kg liveweight) from three different lines were used: old, new, and their cross. These three breed lines were considered the treatments (arranged in four randomized blocks based on initial liveweight) and were evaluated under grazing and feedlot conditions in relation to the performance and emission of enteric methane. During the grazing period, the new line was found to be superior to the old only in relation to the average daily liveweight gain (0.692 vs. 0.547 kg/day), and with no differences in relation to the cross line (0.692 vs. 0.620). In the feedlot finishing phase, only the average daily liveweight gain was significantly higher in the new line compared to the cross and old line (1.44 vs. 1.32 and 1.23 kg/day). The new and cross lines demonstrated higher dry matter intake when compared to the old line (10.25 and 10.42 vs. 9.11 kg/day), with the crossline animals demonstrating the best feed conversion. The new line showed higher enteric methane emissions compared to the old line (178 vs. 156 g/day). The line had an effect on the carcass dressing of the animals, with greater fat thickness in carcasses from the new and cross lines than the old line (4.4 and 3.8 vs. 3.2 mm). Canchim cattle selected for improved productive performance characteristics does not guarantee animals with lower methane emissions under grazing conditions; while in feedlots, can lead to increased daily feed consumption, and hence, to higher emissions of methane.

scholarly journals PSXI-29 Assessing enteric methane emissions from Nellore and Angus-Nellore crossbred cattle in a tropical, intensive beef cattle production system

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 380-381
Author(s):  
Isabella Cristina F Maciel ◽  
Fabiano A Barbosa ◽  
Thierry R Tomich ◽  
Ramon C Alvarenga ◽  
Ludhiana R Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Sulfur Hexafluoride ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Ch4 Production ◽  
Trial Onset ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Tropical Climates ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Enteric Methane Emissions

Abstract Crossbreeding has been used to improve performance in beef cattle; however, the effects of breed composition on methane production, yield and intensity from cattle in a tropical intensive system remain unknown. To assess the impact of breed composition on enteric methane emissions, Nellore (NE; yr 1: BW = 171.5 ± 19.4 kg; n = 10; yr 2: BW = 215.8 ± 32.3 kg, n = 25) and Angus-Nellore crossbred (AN; yr 1: BW = 214.2 ± 26.4 kg, n = 10; yr 2: BW = 242.5 ± 32.2 kg, n = 25) were compared. At trial onset, 10 mo old steers grazed Megathyrsus maximus ‘Mombaça’ in the grazing period (GP) and then were finished in a feedlot (FL) (35:65% corn silage:concentrate diet). Steers (n = 8) from each breed composition were randomly selected in GP and FL to measure CH4 production using a sulfur hexafluoride technique and DMI using titanium dioxide. The NE produced 19% less CH4 than AN in GP (17.21 vs 21.17 kg, P < 0.01), and no difference was observed in FL (22.34 vs 22.67 kg, P > 0.10). However, in FL, NE had greater CH4 intensity (CH4/ADG) compared to AN (122.76 vs 97.49 g/kg, P < 0.01). Furthermore, CH4/carcass weight was greater for NE than AN (0.079 vs 0.067 g/kg CW, P < 0.01). Breed composition did not influence CH4 yield (CH4/DMI) in either phase. The percentage CH4/GEI (Ym) for GP was higher for AN than NE (4.5 vs 3.8%), but lower than the IPCC recommended Ym of 6.5%. In FL, Ym was similar between breed composition (5.0%) and greater than the IPCC Ym of 3%. In our study the introduction of Angus into Nellore has potential to reduce CH4 intensity in tropical climates, resulting in less methane emission per kg beef produced.

scholarly journals Reducing the carbon footprint of Australian milk production by mitigation of enteric methane emissions

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Moate ◽  
Matthew H. Deighton ◽  
S. Richard O. Williams ◽  
Jennie E. Pryce ◽  
Ben J. Hayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Dietary Lipid ◽  
Methane Yield ◽  
Cow Milk ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Enteric Methane Emissions

This review examines research aimed at reducing enteric methane emissions from the Australian dairy industry. Calorimeter measurements of 220 forage-fed cows indicate an average methane yield of 21.1 g methane (CH4)/kg dry matter intake. Adoption of this empirical methane yield, rather than the equation currently used in the Australian greenhouse gas inventory, would reduce the methane emissions attributed to the Australian dairy industry by ~10%. Research also indicates that dietary lipid supplements and feeding high amounts of wheat substantially reduce methane emissions. It is estimated that, in 1980, the Australian dairy industry produced ~185 000 t of enteric methane and total enteric methane intensity was ~33.6 g CH4/kg milk. In 2010, the estimated production of enteric methane was 182 000 t, but total enteric methane intensity had declined ~40% to 19.9 g CH4/kg milk. This remarkable decline in methane intensity and the resultant improvement in the carbon footprint of Australian milk production was mainly achieved by increased per-cow milk yield, brought about by the on-farm adoption of research findings related to the feeding and breeding of dairy cows. Options currently available to further reduce the carbon footprint of Australian milk production include the feeding of lipid-rich supplements such as cottonseed, brewers grains, cold-pressed canola, hominy meal and grape marc, as well as feeding of higher rates of wheat. Future technologies for further reducing methane emissions include genetic selection of cows for improved feed conversion to milk or low methane intensity, vaccines to reduce ruminal methanogens and chemical inhibitors of methanogenesis.

Enteric methane emissions from backgrounded cattle consuming all-forage diets

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. Ominski ◽  
D. A. Boadi ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Tracer Gas ◽  
A Value ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Growing Cattle ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Enteric Methane Emissions ◽  
Forage Diets

To quantify enteric methane (CH4) emissions of growing cattle consuming allforage diets, a field study utilizing 144 British × Continental crossbred steers (262 ± 4 kg) was conducted during an 84-d overwintering period followed by a 56-d grazing period in one of two, grass-based pastures. Enteric CH4 emissions were quantified using the sulphur hexaflouride (SF6) tracer gas technique. During the overwintering period, four qualities of chopped alfalfa-grass silage, ranging in NDF content from 46.4 to 60.8%, DM basis, were utilized. Steers fed the lowest quality forage (60.8% NDF) had lower DMI, (6.8 ± 0.4 kg head-1, P = 0.0075) and lower ADG (0.83 ± 0.03 kg d-1, P = 0.0028) compared with those fed higher quality forage whose intake ranged from 8.2 to 9.1 ± 0.4 kg d-1, with gains ranging from 1.00 to 1.06 ± 0.03 kg d-1. Enteric emissions (% GE intake) were not influenced by forage quality across this range of NDF values; however, CH4 losses did decrease from 6.8 to 4.7 ± 0.3% GE intake as the winter period progressed. Increased DMI, accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of feed energy lost as enteric CH4 emissions, suggests that utilization of the lower-quality forage improved as steers reached higher body weights. Emissions were influenced by pasture quality and availability, as highest CH4 emissions (11.3% GE intake, P = 0.0005) were observed when quality was low and DM availability was limited (738 kg ha-1). This study demonstrates that growing cattle consuming all-forage diets typical of those utilized in Western Canada during the winter feeding period will lose 5.1 to 5.9% of feed energy as CH4. Further, it has shown that emissions from growing cattle on grass-based pastures may exceed 10% GE intake – a value that is greater than those previously reported for growing cattle grazing legume-based pastures. Key words: Enteric methane emissions, cattle, forage, backgrounding, pasture

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document