Nutrition, health and performance are perhaps the most widely discussed aspects of cattle production. Now, greenhouse gases (GHGs) and associated emissions are making it impossible for them to make a profit.
General release from ruminants begins in the stomach and hindgut. Together with fertilizer storage, they account for the largest amount of intestinal emissions both globally and in the United States. While genetics and microengineering are working to reduce emissions, nutrition is the main focus.
Focus on nutrition
Ermias Kebreb, associate dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis, believes there are two ways to use nutrients to reduce emissions. One focuses on intensity, meaning reductions per kilogram or liter produced. The other is by predicting emissions per unit of production. animals per day.
In terms of emissions intensity, Kebreb says they have been able to improve productivity, especially for dairy cows, by 1% to 2% each year.
“This increase has resulted in a significant reduction in emissions per kilogram of milk,” says Kebreb. “For the past 50 years, California has [emissions] This means that in 2024, the volume of a liter of milk will be approximately half that. [of emissions] Produced in 1950. As productivity per unit increases, the impact decreases. ”
To target emissions prediction, researchers are focusing on feed additives and by-products. Kebreb outlines that as genetic improvement occurs, we are working hard to match it with our understanding and nutritional habits.
“Genetics alone won’t accomplish anything,” he says. “Animals need optimal nutrition to reach their potential. Every year we build our knowledge base to provide the right amount of nutrition to maximize productivity and minimize emissions. We are learning how to deliver at the right time and under the right conditions.”
Kebreb said the feed additive, which is not currently approved in the U.S., has demonstrated significant emissions reductions in trials alongside potential productivity gains, but this is still being verified. . He added that research and trials focused on including seaweed in feed have confirmed that emissions are significantly reduced thanks to its active ingredient bromoform. Bromoform is released by specialized seaweed plant cells and uses its anti-methanegenic activity to inhibit the translocation reactions that cause methane production.
“Further research is needed into animal and consumer health, as well as environmental impacts, to identify and minimize residual levels before scaling up,” he says. “Research is ongoing to understand the appropriate levels of bromoform to consume and how it affects health and behavior.”
organize the possibilities
From a practical standpoint, diets can be adjusted to minimize or reduce methane emissions, primarily by switching to more digestible feeds, says Philip Lancaster, clinical assistant professor at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Research Institute. However, he says it is possible to add grain or cut back on feed. It’s not always economically viable.
He points to essential oils, unsaturated fats, fatty acids, extracts and synthetic compounds that producers already add to the diet. Although not strictly feed additives, they can also help reduce methane emissions to some extent. Unfortunately, there is a limit to the amount that can be fed without negatively impacting rumen fermentation, intake, and digestibility.
The organic compound 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) has already been approved in other countries, and Lancaster believes there is enough interest in the United States that the FDA will approve it. He has seen conflicting data showing that while emissions are reduced, it does not necessarily improve feed digestibility or efficiency.
“Producers need to think about how they can get paid to use it, especially if it doesn’t improve performance,” Lancaster says. “There needs to be a marketing incentive for this type of product.”
Furthermore, it is unknown whether 3-NOP affects the risk of respiratory disease, liver abscess, and other gastrointestinal diseases in feedlot cattle.
“This situation is rare, so we may not be able to make any accurate conclusions about this until we start using it,” Lancaster said. “Large numbers of animals are needed to discern differences in disease incidence. This benefit may need to be obtained through some mechanism other than increased efficiency.”
Identifying sustainable resources in the face of difficult problems
Jan Dijkstra, associate professor of ruminant nutrition at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, says circular cattle production systems can close the phosphorus cycle, reduce nitrogen loss, and lower carbon emissions. , says there is a need to reduce the ecological footprint of food production.
“It is essential to make better use of local, sustainable sourcing and circularity (by-products and residues),” says Dijkstra. “This will improve the health of ruminants through nutrition, extending the lifespan of dairy animals in particular. Resilience and well-being are key factors. We call this the Future for Future Animals. It’s called ‘bait’.
He points out that feed and food competition is becoming increasingly important around the world, and of course in Europe.
“In many parts of the world, cattle nutrition will become increasingly dependent on by-products as well as fiber-rich feeds that are unsuitable for human food,” Dijkstra said. “This poses a challenge. Feed materials are high in fiber, have low digestibility, have a possibly suboptimal amino acid composition, and even contain anti-nutritional factors.”
Increasing fiber generally means increasing the amount of methane per unit of feed digested. Dijkstra believes that to properly address this issue, it is necessary to ensure the management of local agricultural resources towards high digestibility. His research has demonstrated up to 30% differences in intestinal methane emissions in dairy animals between young leafy silage and mature grasses.
“On solutions such as the use of fungi and bacteria to improve the quality of biomass, cocktails of essential amino acids in situations of low protein supply (the latter is especially necessary to reduce fecal nitrogen excretion), and feed additives. We need innovation and research.” [like 3-NOP] It can effectively reduce methane in the rumen,” says Dijkstra.
Mr Lancaster said the amount of research being done, particularly by start-up companies looking to sell products and gain market share to improve the sustainability of beef and dairy products, has led to feed additives targeting emissions. He added that changes would be made in the coming years.
“There are some interesting examples that show promise and could potentially have a big impact if we better match genetics and nutrition,” Lancaster says.
Kebreb takes the argument a step further and believes emissions will be reduced by nearly 50% from current levels over the next five years.
“I think this is a reasonable number, but it mainly depends on how well all the different components are implemented,” he says. “This is extremely valuable because this is our biggest mission right now.”
