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Research Project: MANAGING FARMS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND PROFIT

Location: Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research

Title: Nutritional and management strategies to mitigate animal greenhouse gas emissions

Authors
item Hristov, Alexander -
item Oh, Joonpyo -
item Lee, Chanhee -
item Meinen, Robert -
item Montes, Felipe -
item Ott, Troy -
item Firkins, Jeff -
item Rotz, Clarence
item Dell, Curtis
item Adesogan, Adegbola -
item Yang, Wenzhu -
item Tricarico, Juan -
item Kebreab, Ermias -
item Waghorn, Garry -
item Dijkstra, Jan -
item Oosting, Simon -
item Gerber, Pierre -
item Henderson, Benjamin -
item Makkar, Harinder -

Submitted to: Ruminant Nutrition Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 25, 2013
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
Citation: Hristov, A.N., Oh, J., Lee, C., Meinen, R., Montes, F., Ott, T., Firkins, J., Rotz, C.A., Dell, C.J., Adesogan, A., Yang, W., Tricarico, J., Kebreab, E., Waghorn, G., Dijkstra, J., Oosting, S., Gerber, P.J., Henderson, B., Makkar, H. 2013. Nutritional and management strategies to mitigate animal greenhouse gas emissions. IN: Ruminant Nutrition Conference Proceedings, February 5-6, 2013, Gainesville, Florida. p. 1-8.

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: Animal production is a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide. The current analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential of nutritional, manure and animal management practices for mitigating methane and nitrous oxide, i.e. non-carbon dioxide GHG emissions from enteric fermentation and manure decomposition. These practices were categorized into enteric methane, manure management-based, and animal management-based mitigation practices. Emphasis was placed on enteric methane mitigation practices for ruminant animals and manure management-based mitigation practices for both ruminant and monogastric species. Improving forage quality and the overall efficiency of dietary nutrient use is an effective way of decreasing GHG emissions per unit of animal product. Several feed supplements have potential to reduce enteric methane emission from ruminants, although their long-term effect has not been well-established and some are toxic or may not be economically feasible in developing countries. Several manure management practices have a significant potential for decreasing GHG emissions from manure storage and after application or deposition on soil. Interactions among individual components of livestock production systems are very complex, but must be considered when recommending GHG mitigation practices. One practice may successfully mitigate enteric methane emission, but increase fermentable substrate in manure and thus increase GHG emissions from land-applied manure. Some mitigation practices are synergistic and are expected to decrease both enteric and manure GHG emissions (for example, improved animal health and animal productivity). Optimizing animal productivity can be a very successful strategy for mitigating GHG emissions from the livestock sector in both developed and developing countries.

   

 
Project Team
Rotz, Clarence - Al
Veith, Tameria - Tamie
Bryant, Ray
Dell, Curtis
Skinner, Robert - Howard
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Climate Change, Soils, and Emissions (212)
  Agricultural System Competitiveness and Sustainability (216)
 
Related Projects
   MODELING SILAGE EMISSIONS FOR IMPROVED AIR QUALITY
   Quantification of the Emission Reduction Benefits of Mitigation Strategies for Dairy Silage
   Environmental Assessment of U.S. Beef Production Systems
 
 
Last Modified: 05/24/2013
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