Nutritional and flock management options to reduce methane output and methane per unit product from sheep enterprises
R. S. Hegarty A D , D. Alcock A C , D. L. Robinson A C , J. P. Goopy A C and P. E. Vercoe A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
C Industry and Investment NSW, Cooma, NSW 2630, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: roger.hegarty@industry.nsw.gov.au
Animal Production Science 50(12) 1026-1033 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN10104
Submitted: 23 June 2010 Accepted: 20 October 2010 Published: 23 November 2010
Abstract
The daily methane output of sheep is strongly affected by the quantity and digestibility of feed consumed. There are few widely applicable technologies that reduce the methane output of grazing ruminants without limiting feed intake per head or animal numbers. In contrast, there are many opportunities to increase the amount of animal product generated per unit of feed eaten. These include improving growth and reproductive rates of livestock and will reduce methane emission per unit of product (called emissions intensity) for individual animals. Producer responses to such improvements through changes to stocking rate and total area grazed will have a major effect on the total emission and profitability of the enterprise. First mating of ewes as lambs (~7 months of age) rather than as hoggets (~19 months of age) reduces the emissions intensity of self-replacing flocks but not that of flocks for which replacement ewes are purchased. Selection of sheep for improved residual feed intake reduces emissions intensity at the individual animal level as well as at the enterprise level. At present, emissions policies that motivate farm managers to consider generating fewer emissions rather than more profit or product are lacking.
Additional keywords: animals, enteric methane, greenhouse gases, mitigation.
References
ABS (2009) 4627.0. Land management and farming in Australia, 2007–08. Available at http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/7CAF008176640264CA2575C40017E313/$File/46270_2007-08.pdf [Verified 18 October 2010]Alcock D, Hegarty RS (2006) Effects of pasture improvement on productivity, gross margin and methane emissions of a grazing sheep enterprise. International Congress Series 1293, 103–106.
| Effects of pasture improvement on productivity, gross margin and methane emissions of a grazing sheep enterprise.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhs1amsbw%3D&md5=02cd57084b30dc1c540c1f71ea47f50bCAS |
Alcock D, Hegarty RS (2010) Impacts of animal management and genetic improvement on enteric methane output, emissions intensity and productivity of Australian sheep production systems. In ‘Proceedings of the 4th international conference on greenhouse gases and animal agriculture’. (Eds EJ McGeough, SM McGinn) p. 187.
Beauchemin KA, McGinn SM, Martinez TF, McAllister TA (2007) Use of condensed tannin extract from quebracho trees to reduce methane emissions from cattle. Journal of Animal Science 85, 1990–1996.
| Use of condensed tannin extract from quebracho trees to reduce methane emissions from cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXot1Ohtbo%3D&md5=7e56fd98af215944164495b54a8b62b6CAS | 17468433PubMed |
Beauchemin KA, Kreuzer M, O’Mara F, McAllister TA (2008) Nutritional management for enteric methane abatement: a review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 21–27.
| Nutritional management for enteric methane abatement: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXovVGn&md5=eefd325f0a87f80015e62615c45aca3cCAS |
Blaxter KL, Clapperton JL (1965) Prediction of the amount of methane produced by ruminants. The British Journal of Nutrition 19, 511–522.
| Prediction of the amount of methane produced by ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF28XitFKktg%3D%3D&md5=47c7f3b5e6263fda03e6c1f2f8856292CAS | 5852118PubMed |
Buddle BM, Denis M, Attwood GT, Altermann E, Janssen PH, Ronimus RS, Pinares-Patiño CS, Muetzel S, Wedlock N (2010) Strategies to reduce methane emissions from farmed ruminants grazing on pasture. Veterinary Journal
| Strategies to reduce methane emissions from farmed ruminants grazing on pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | in press.
Callaway ES, Martin SA (1997) Effects of a Sacharomyces cerevisiae culture on ruminal bacteria that utilise lactate and digest cellulose. Journal of Dairy Science 80, 2035–2044.
| Effects of a Sacharomyces cerevisiae culture on ruminal bacteria that utilise lactate and digest cellulose.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXmsFejtbY%3D&md5=9da6d8805e930f33d8d5c0c4e1bbdfeeCAS | 9313145PubMed |
Chen M, Wolin MJ (1979) Effect of monensin and lasalocid-sodium on the growth of methanogenic and rumen saccharolytic bacteria. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 38, 72–77.
CIE (2009) Some impacts on agriculture of an Australian emissions trading system. Research report. Australian Farm Institute, Surry Hills, Australia.
Cook SR, Maiti PK, Chaves AV, Benchaar C, Beauchemin KA, McAllister TA (2008) Avian (IgY) anti-methanogen antibodies for reducing ruminal methane production: in vitro assessment of their effects. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 260–264.
| Avian (IgY) anti-methanogen antibodies for reducing ruminal methane production: in vitro assessment of their effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXovVyj&md5=5a09b2fbf568c68c8bdcd67842c80cc0CAS |
Cosgrove GP, Waghorn GC, Anderson CB, Peters JS, Smith A, Molano G, Deighton M (2008) The effect of oils fed to sheep on methane production and digestion of ryegrass pasture. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 189–192.
| The effect of oils fed to sheep on methane production and digestion of ryegrass pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXovV2q&md5=263f2c1cf8aee674474aa01683a86aecCAS |
Cruickshank GJ, Thomson BC, Muir PD (2009) Effect of management change on methane output within a sheep flock. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 69, 170–173.
Decker K, Jungermann K, Thauer RK (1970) Energy production in anaerobic organisms. Angewandte Chemie International 9, 138–158.
| Energy production in anaerobic organisms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE3cXps1Grug%3D%3D&md5=e87dc7d94be07d9bea69c26c81167337CAS |
Freer M, Jones DB (1984) Feeding value of subterranean clover, lucerne, phalaris and Wimmera ryegrass for lambs. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 24, 156–164.
| Feeding value of subterranean clover, lucerne, phalaris and Wimmera ryegrass for lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Freer M, Moore AD, Donnelly JR (2010) The GRAZPLAN animal biology model for sheep and cattle and the GrazFeed decision support tool. CSIRO Plant Industry Technical Paper. Available at http://www.pi.csiro.au/grazplan/files/TechPaperJan10.pdf [Verified 18 October 2010]
Goopy JP, Hegarty RS, Dobos R (2006) The persistence over time of divergent methane production in lot-fed cattle. International Congress Series 1293, 111–114.
| The persistence over time of divergent methane production in lot-fed cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhs1amsbo%3D&md5=4de74ebb1c87996afe463fe3220e04b5CAS |
Goopy JP, Hegarty RS, Robinson DL (2009) Two-hour chamber measurement provides a useful estimate of daily methane production in sheep. In ‘Ruminant physiology: digestion, metabolism and effects of nutrition on reproduction and welfare. Proceedings of the XIth international symposium on ruminant physiology, Clermont-Ferrand, France’. (Eds Y Chilliard, F Glasser, Y Faulconnier, F Bocquier, I Veissier, M Doreau) pp. 190–191. (Wageningen Academic Publishers: Wageningen, Netherlands)
Goopy JP, Woodgate R, Hegarty RS (2010) Validation of short-term methane measurements as estimates of daily methane production in sheep: development and proving of portable chambers for field testing. In ‘Proceedings of the 4th international conference on greenhouse gases and animal agriculture’. (Eds EJ McGeough, SM McGinn) p. 77.
Grainger C, Clarke T, Beauchemin KA, McGinn SM, Eckard RJ (2008a) Supplementation with white cottonseed reduces methane emissions and can profitably increase milk production of dairy cows offered a forage and cereal grain diet. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 73–76.
| Supplementation with white cottonseed reduces methane emissions and can profitably increase milk production of dairy cows offered a forage and cereal grain diet.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXovVKm&md5=046cedbb68780dda5789c281730ecb7eCAS |
Grainger C, Auldist NJ, Clarke T, Beauchemin KA, McGinn SM, Hannah MC, Eckard RJ, Lowe LB (2008b) Use of monensin controlled release capsules to reduce methane emissions and improve milk production of dairy cows offered pasture supplemented with grain. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 1159–1165.
| Use of monensin controlled release capsules to reduce methane emissions and improve milk production of dairy cows offered pasture supplemented with grain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXivFemtb8%3D&md5=a4fa759dec04f94b4dfe4c9ce5874c61CAS | 18292272PubMed |
Grainger C, Clarke T, Auldist MJ, Beauchemin KA, McGinn SM, Waghorn GC, Eckard RJ (2009) Potential use of Acacia mearnsii condensed tannins to reduce methane emissions and nitrogen excretion from grazing dairy cows. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 89, 241–251.
| Potential use of Acacia mearnsii condensed tannins to reduce methane emissions and nitrogen excretion from grazing dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtVKntrnF&md5=bbf5336732fcfda2cd264c2d36665c59CAS |
Hegarty RS, Goopy JP, Herd RM, McCorkell B (2007) Cattle selected for lower residual feed intake have reduced daily methane production. Journal of Animal Science 85, 1479–1486.
| Cattle selected for lower residual feed intake have reduced daily methane production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXls1ant7c%3D&md5=d928276975269b7f1f2eb669bb1cc4d1CAS | 17296777PubMed |
Henderson G, Naylor GE, Leahy SC, Janssen PH (2010) Presence of novel, potentially homoacetogenic bacteria in the rumen as determined by analysis of formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase sequences from ruminants. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76, 2058–2066.
| Presence of novel, potentially homoacetogenic bacteria in the rumen as determined by analysis of formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase sequences from ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXltVCrtrs%3D&md5=10f1035c8a45ea7d5953128fb1290998CAS | 20118378PubMed |
Joblin KN (1999) Ruminal acetogens and their potential to lower ruminant methane emissions. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 50, 1307–1313.
| Ruminal acetogens and their potential to lower ruminant methane emissions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jones FM, Phillips F, Naylor T (2010) In-field quantification of methane emissions from grazing angus beef cows divergently selected for residual feed intake. In ‘Proceedings of the 4th internatioanl conference on greenhouse gases and animal agriculture’. (Eds EJ McGeough, SM McGinn) p. 108.
Karlsson LJE, Greeff JC (2006) Selection response in fecal worm egg counts in the Rylington Merino parasite resistant flock. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 809–811.
| Selection response in fecal worm egg counts in the Rylington Merino parasite resistant flock.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Klieve AV, McLennan SR, Ouwerkerk D, Hegarty RS (2009) Methane emissions and liveweight gain of cattle fed supplements of cottonseed and coconut oil. In ‘Ruminant physiology: digestion, metabolism and effects of nutrition on reproduction and welfare. Proceedings of the XIth international symposium on ruminant physiology, Clermont-Ferrand, France’. (Eds Y Chilliard, F Glasser, Y Faulconnier, F Bocquier, I Veissier, M Doreau) pp. 84–85. (Wageningen Academic Publishers: Wageningen, Netherlands)
Kumar R, Singh M (1984) Tannins: their adverse role in ruminant nutrition. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 32, 447–453.
| Tannins: their adverse role in ruminant nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL2cXitVOqsrk%3D&md5=225946f8ce9ec9334e516ef4bb69f89cCAS |
Leng RA (2008) The potential of feeding nitrate to reduce enteric methane production in ruminants. Available at http://www.penambulbooks.com/Papers%20&%20Presentations.htm [Verified 8 June 2010]
Machmüller A, Dohme F, Soliva CR, Wanner M, Kreuzer M (2001) Diet composition affects the level of ruminal methane suppression by medium-chain fatty acids. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 713–722.
| Diet composition affects the level of ruminal methane suppression by medium-chain fatty acids.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McAllister TA, Newbold CJ (2008) Redirecting rumen fermentation to reduce methanogenesis. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 7–13.
| Redirecting rumen fermentation to reduce methanogenesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXovVKh&md5=a6006070328608f62c962c93c63a94fdCAS |
McCaughey WP, Wittenberg K, Corrigan D (1999) Impact of pasture type on methane production by lactating beef cows. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 79, 221–226.
McGeough EJ, O’Kiely P, Foley PA, Hart KJ, Boland TM, Kenny DA (2010) Methane emissions, feed intake, and performance of finishing beef cattle offered maize silages harvested at 4 different stages of maturity. Journal of Animal Science 88, 1479–1491.
| Methane emissions, feed intake, and performance of finishing beef cattle offered maize silages harvested at 4 different stages of maturity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXksVCns78%3D&md5=e03267b5940ae5b29cca9d71d531c3d4CAS | 20023131PubMed |
Moate PJ, Williams SRO, Grainger C, Hannah MC, Eckard RJ (2010) Comparison of cold pressed canola, brewers grains and hominy meal as dietary supplements suitable for reducing enteric methane emission from lactating cows. In ‘Proceedings of the 4th international confernce on greenhouse gases and animal agriculture’. (Eds EJ McGeough, SM McGinn) p. 137.
Moss AR, Jouany JP, Newbold J (2000) Methane production by ruminants: its contribution to global warming. Annales Zootechnology 49, 231–253.
| Methane production by ruminants: its contribution to global warming.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXnt12msrk%3D&md5=de697fdacf2f95b3c99adb2c78998c60CAS |
Newbold CJ, Wallace RJ, Walker N (1993) The effect of tetronasin and monensin on fermentation, microbial numbers and the development of ionophore-resistant bacteria in the rumen. The Journal of Applied Bacteriology 75, 129–134.
Nkrumah JD, Okine EK, Mathison GW, Schmid K, Li C, Basarab JA, Price MA, Wang Z, Moore SS (2006) Relationships of feedlot feed efficiency, performance, and feeding behavior with metabolic rate, methane production, and energy partitioning in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 84, 145–153.
Nolan JV, Hegarty RS, Hegarty J, Godwin I, Woodgate R (2010) Effects of dietary nitrate on rumen fermentation, methane production and water kinetics in sheep. Animal Production Science 50, 801–806.
| Effects of dietary nitrate on rumen fermentation, methane production and water kinetics in sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtVyrtbzP&md5=2a84499ccbb63a767ea737b566b221aeCAS |
Odongo NE, Bagg R, Vessie G, Dick P, Or-Rashis M, Hook SE, Gray JT, Kebreab E, France J, McBride BW (2007) Long-term effects of feeding monensin on methane production in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 1781–1788.
| Long-term effects of feeding monensin on methane production in lactating dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXjs1ahs78%3D&md5=58c81c85cea6d4683ee654bf8a2f2161CAS | 17369219PubMed |
Ouwerkerk D, Maguire AJ, McMillen L, Klieve AV (2009) Hydrogen utilizing bacteria from the forestomach of eastern grey (Macropus giganteus) and red (Macropus rufus) kangaroos. Animal Production Science 49, 1043–1051.
| Hydrogen utilizing bacteria from the forestomach of eastern grey (Macropus giganteus) and red (Macropus rufus) kangaroos.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXht1Gmtb%2FK&md5=ba00b960e5e50e951ee5a871fd07adcbCAS |
Pinares-Patiño CS, Ulyatt MJ, Lassey KR, Barry TN, Holmes CW (2003) Persistence of differences between sheep in methane emission under generous grazing conditions. The Journal of Agricultural Science 140, 227–233.
| Persistence of differences between sheep in methane emission under generous grazing conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pinares-Patiño CS, Vlaming JB, Cavanagh A, Molano G, Clark H (2005) Persistence of dairy cows in animal-to-animal variation in methane emission. In ‘Proceedings of the 2nd international conference on greenhouse gases and animal agriculture’. (Eds CR Soliva, J Takahashi, M Kreuzer) pp. 401–404. (ETH: Zurich)
Pinares-Patiño CS, McEwan JC, Dodds KG, Meutzel S, Cardenas EA, Hegarty RS, Koolard JP, Clark H (2010) Repeatability of methane emissions from sheep. In ‘Proceedings of the 4th international conference on greenhouse gases and animal agriculture’. (Eds EJ McGeough, SM McGinn) p. 146.
Pollott GE, Karlsson LJE, Eady S, Greeff JC (2004) Genetic parameters for indicators of host resistance to parasites from weaning to hogget age in merino sheep. Journal of Animal Science 82, 2852–2864.
Robinson DL, Goopy JP, Hegarty RS, Vercoe PE (2010) Repeatability, animal and sire variation in 1-hr methane emissions and relationships with rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations. In ‘Proceedings of the world congress on genetics applied to livestock production’. Available at http://www.kongressband.de/wcgalp2010/assets/pdf/0712.pdf [verified 1 November 2010]
Thompson R (2005) Economics of pasture improvement in the western wheat belt. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/52412/Economics_of_pasture_improvement_in_the_western_wheat_belt_-_Primefact_118-final.pdf [Verified 18 October 2010]
VDPI (2007) Feedlotting lambs. Note no. 1283. Available at http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/notes/agg/sheep/ag1283-feedlotting-lambs [Verified 19 October 2010]
Vlaming JB, Lopez-Villalobos DN, Brookes IM, Hoskin SO, Clark H (2008) Within- and between-animal variance in methane emissions in non-lactating dairy cows. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 124–127.
| Within- and between-animal variance in methane emissions in non-lactating dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXovV2r&md5=a3090d8a9f0af8cd71f3ce8c848dd1dbCAS |
Waghorn GC, Tavendale MH, Woodfield DR (2002) Methanogenesis from forages fed to sheep. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grasslands Association 64, 159–165.
Waghorn GC, Clark H, Taufa V, Cavanagh A (2008) Monensin controlled-release capsules for methane mitigation in pasture-fed dairy cows. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 65–68.
| Monensin controlled-release capsules for methane mitigation in pasture-fed dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXovFSn&md5=434e9435545d0625ad63296cfd6c0ac3CAS |
Wallace RJ, Wood TA, Rowe A, Price J, Yanez DR, Williams SP, Newbold CJ (2006) Encapsulated fumaric acid a means of decreasing ruminal methane emissions. International Congress Series 1293, 148–151.
| Encapsulated fumaric acid a means of decreasing ruminal methane emissions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhs1amtr8%3D&md5=f9f05317f9d063e7fd2c93f5ae46aa9eCAS |
Wedlock DN, Pedersen G, Denis M, Dey D, Janssen PH, Buddle BM (2010) Development of a vaccine to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture: vaccination of sheep with methanogen fractions induces antibodies that block methane production in vitro. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 58, 29–36.
Williams YJ, Popovski S, Rea SM, Skillman LC, Toovey AF, Northwood KS, Wright AD (2009) A vaccine against rumen methanogens can alter the composition of archaeal populations. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 75, 1860–1866.
| A vaccine against rumen methanogens can alter the composition of archaeal populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXksFWlsb0%3D&md5=5ccb3aab073140d3248f1c25821ceabeCAS | 19201957PubMed |
Woodward SL, Waghorn GC, Laboyrie PG (2004) Condensed tannins in birdsfood trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) reduce methane emissions from dairy cows. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 64, 160–164.
Wright AD, Kennedy P, O’Neill CJ, Toovey AF, Popovski S, Rea SM, Pimm CL, Klein L (2004) Reducing methane emissions in sheep by immunization against rumen methanogens. Vaccine 22, 3976–3985.
| Reducing methane emissions in sheep by immunization against rumen methanogens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXnsFGns7s%3D&md5=93f2417fab55c58a5af0dc22086f844dCAS | 15364447PubMed |
