Lower Methane Emissions Research Articles

Reoxidation of Reduced Peat Organic Matter by Dissolved Oxygen: Combined Laboratory Column‐Breakthrough Experiments and In‐Field Push‐Pull Tests

AbstractElectron transfer to peat particulate organic matter (POM) as terminal electron acceptor (TEA) in anaerobic respiration has been hypothesized to lower methane emissions from peatlands by competitively suppressing methanogenesis and/or allowing for anaerobic oxidation of methane. We herein provide evidence for two critical aspects of this hypothesis: (a) peat POM is present in a reduced state in situ in the anoxic peat subsurface, and (b) reduced POM at the oxic‐anoxic interface in peat soils can be oxidized by dissolved oxygen (DO), restoring its TEA capacity. We reacted reduced POM from three ombrotrophic bogs in Sweden with DO in soil‐packed column‐breakthrough experiments (CBEs), mimicking oxidation reactions at the oxic‐anoxic interface. Breakthrough of DO was substantially retarded relative to the inert tracer bromide, consistent with DO reduction by POM. Control experiments confirmed abiotic DO reduction and excluded DO consumption through aerobic respiration. Modeling DO breakthrough revealed fast and slowly reacting POM moieties with reaction times spanning minutes to days. Complementary push‐pull tests (PPTs) in the anoxic subsurface of one bog confirmed results from laboratory CBEs: lower recoveries of injected DO compared with bromide supported DO reduction by reduced POM. Rates of reduction of injected DO decreased with increasing number of injections, consistent with continuous oxidation of reduced POM. Electron‐donating capacities of POM to DO in CBEs and PPTs were comparable at 40–130 μmol e−/g dry POM. Our results substantiate that POM is a regenerable TEA at oxic‐anoxic interfaces in peat soils and, thereby, may substantially lower CH4 emissions from peatlands.

Ruminal and feces metabolites associated with feed efficiency, water intake and methane emission in Nelore bulls

The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) to identify potential differences in the ruminal and fecal metabolite profiles of Nelore bulls under different nutritional interventions; and (2) to identify metabolites associated with cattle sustainability related-traits. We used different nutritional interventions in the feedlot: conventional (Conv; n = 26), and by-product (ByPr, n = 26). Thirty-eight ruminal fluid and 27 fecal metabolites were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the ByPr and Conv groups. Individual dry matter intake (DMI), residual feed intake (RFI), observed water intake (OWI), predicted water intake (WI), and residual water intake (RWI) phenotypes were lower (P < 0.05) in the Conv group, while the ByPr group exhibited lower methane emission (ME) (P < 0.05). Ruminal fluid dimethylamine was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with DMI, RFI, FE (feed efficiency), OWI and WI. Aspartate was associated (P < 0.05) with DMI, RFI, FE and WI. Fecal C22:1n9 was significantly associated with OWI and RWI (P < 0.05). Fatty acid C14:0 and hypoxanthine were significantly associated with DMI and RFI (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that different nutritional interventions alter ruminal and fecal metabolites and provided new insights into the relationship of these metabolites with feed efficiency and water intake traits in Nelore bulls.

Commentary: Invited review: glucosinolates might result in low methane emissions from ruminants fed brassica forages.

Commentary: Invited review: glucosinolates might result in low methane emissions from ruminants fed brassica forages.

Leverage of Essential Oils on Faeces-Based Methane and Biogas Production in Dairy Cows

Currently, there is an ongoing intensive search for solutions that would effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mainly methane) into the environment. From a practical point of view, it is important to reduce methane emissions from cows in such a way as to simultaneously trim emissions from the digestive system and increase its potential production from feces, which is intended as a substrate used in biogas plants. Such a solution would not only lower animal-based methane emissions but would also enable the production of fuel (in chemical form) with a high yield of methane from biogas, which would boost the economic benefits and reduce the use of fossil fuels. We tested the effect of administering an essential oil blend consisting of 5.5% oils and fats on methane and biogas production from dairy cow feces during fermentation. Three subsequent series (control and experimental) were conducted in dairy cows fed a total mixed ration (TMR) rich in brewer’s cereals and beet pulp, with 20% dry matter (DM) of the total diet. Cows from the experimental group received 20 g/cow/day of essential oil blend, namely a commercial additive (CA). The study showed that CA can increase the production of methane and biogas from dairy cow feces. It can be concluded that in the experimental groups, approx. 15.2% and 14.4% on a fresh matter basis and 11.7% and 10.9% on a dry matter basis more methane and biogas were generated compared to the control group, respectively. Therefore, it can be assumed that the use of CA in cow nutrition improved dietary digestibility, which increased the efficiency of the use of feces organic matter for biogas production.

Higher rice grain yield and lower methane emission achieved by alternate wetting and drying in central Vietnam

Rice is the main staple food for more than half of the world’s population, but rice cultivation is a significant source of atmospheric methane (CH4). Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) reduces CH4 emission from paddy field, but the effect on rice yield remains unclear. Organic soil amendment increases grain yield but simultaneously increases CH4 emission. Therefore, the combination of AWD and organic amendment may compensate for each other’s shortcomings. The objective of this study was to assess whether AWD and organic amendment can increase rice yield while mitigating CH4 emission. The experiments were conducted in a farmer’s paddy field in Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam, during five consecutive rice growing seasons in 2019–2021. Two water management practices, continuous flooding (CF) and AWD, with (+O) or without (−O) the application of a commercially available organic fertilizer were examined under normal cultivation conditions. Compared with CF, AWD significantly reduced CH4 emission by 34 %, increased nitrous oxide (N2O) by 46 %, and increased grain yield by 4.4 %. The +O treatment significantly increased the yield by 3.7 % relative to −O. Relative to CF−O by season, AWD+O significantly increased the yield. The integrated global warming potential of CH4 and N2O emissions was decreased by 33 % and irrigation water use was reduced by 33 % in AWD plots relative to that in CF plots. These results indicate that AWD by itself has the potential to increase rice yield as well as reduce CH4 emission, and the combination of AWD with organic amendment would ensure yield increase.

Low-protein diet promotes nitrogen retention efficiency via enhanced renal urea reabsorption and microbial hydrogen incorporation in the rumen of goats

Feeding a low-protein diet can enhance urea reabsorption and transfer to the rumen, which might alter microbial protein (MCP) synthesis and redirect molecular hydrogen (H2) flow away from methanogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of feeding goats a low-protein diet on urea nitrogen (N) salvage and metabolism, and consequence on H2 metabolism for MCP synthesis and methanogenesis. Goats (Xiangdong Black goats, a local breed in southern China,) with body weight of 20.4 ± 2.15 kg (mean ± SD) were fed a control diet (consisted of 70% rice straw and 30% concentrates, with crude protein [CP] content by 108 g kg−1) or a low-protein diet (55.2 g CP/kg). 15NH4Cl and 2H2 were employed to further confirm the incorporation of N and hydrogen for MCP synthesis through in vitro culture. Feeding a low-protein diet resulted in greater proportion of retained N (+156%, P < 0.05), plasma urea N (+81.9%, P < 0.05) or rumen ammonia-N (+125%, P < 0.001) relative to digested N and greater renal urea N reabsorption (+11.2%, P < 0.05), together with upregulated relative protein expression of urea transporter A (UTA) in the kidneys (P < 0.05) and mRNA expression of UTA in rumen epithelium (P < 0.05). Feeding low-protein diet resulted in greater concentration of rumen dissolved hydrogen (+55.6%, P < 0.05), ratio of MCP to ammonia-N (+17.6%, P < 0.05), and lower enteric methane emissions (g/kg digested DM, −18.5%, P < 0.05). Further, in vitro experiments verified that the addition of NH4Cl decreased methane and hydrogen production (P < 0.001), although only a minor quantity of headspace 2H2 gas was incorporated for MCP synthesis. In conclusions, feeding a low-protein diet to goats enhances renal urea reabsorption capacity and facilitates the rumen microbial hydrogen incorporation for MCP synthesis, leading to enhanced N retention efficiency and reduced methane emissions. However, the effect of such an approach on livestock performance should be tested in the future studies.

Modulating Natural Methane Release from Rumen Fermentation through the Use of Ficus glomerata Leaf Tannins in Murrah Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Enteric fermentation is one of the largest contributors of methane release to the environment from the livestock sector. Plant bioactive compounds can modulate rumen fermentation for reduced methanogenesis and fatty acid biohydrogenation. The present study investigates the effects of tannin extract from Ficus glomerata (FG) leaves on the rumen fermentation, methanogenesis, feed digestibility and fatty acid biohydrogenation of a total mixed ration with the aim of developing a feed supplement for enhanced livestock production and product quality with lower methane emission. The tannin extract (70% aqueous acetone extract) of FG leaves in the total mixed ration (oat hay/concentrate mixture; 1:1) was studied at four graded dose regimens (0.0 (control), 0.25 mL (FG-0.25), 0.50 mL (FG-0.50) and 1.0 mL (FG-1.0) per 60 mL of buffered rumen fluid) in three replicates for each treatment in a radio-frequency-based automatic gas production system (ANKOM-RF) at 39 °C for 24 h following the standard in vitro gas production protocol. The total gas production (mL or mL/g incubated dry matter (DM)) was gradually reduced (p &lt; 0.01) at dose levels of FG-0.50 and FG-1.0; however, it remained intermediary and comparable (p &gt; 0.05) for FG-0.25 with the control and FG-0.50. Compared to the control, the methane concentration (%) in the head space gas, as well as the total methane production (mL or mL/g DM incubated, or mL/g DM digested), were found to be gradually reduced (p &lt; 0.01) with increasing doses (0.25–1.0 mL) of FG extract. The reduced (p &lt; 0.05) feed degradability at higher levels (0.50–1.0 mL) of FG extract supplementation and the comparative (p &gt; 0.05) effects with the control at a lower level of supplementation (FG-0.25) are suggestive of the dose-responsive detrimental effects of tannins on fibrolytic microbes in the rumen. However, the ammonia concentration decreased (p &lt; 0.05) in all of the incubations compared to the control. Among the volatile fatty acids, acetate remained comparable (p &gt; 0.05) with enhanced (p &lt; 0.05) propionate at a lower dose (FG-0.25); however, a dose-dependent reduction was evident at higher dose levels (FG-0.50 and FG-1.0). The production of stearic acid (C18:0), which is a product of the rumen biohydrogenation process, was reduced (p &lt; 0.05), irrespective of the concentration of the FG extract. Compared to the control, the concentration of t-vaccenic acid (C18:1), which is a precursor of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in animal products, was increased in all the FG-extract-supplemented groups. It may be concluded that Ficus glomerata leaf tannins can modulate rumen fermentation for reduced methanogenesis and fatty acid biohydrogenation in a total mixed ration. As a higher level of inclusion negatively affects feed digestibility, a lower dose (0.25 mL FG extract per 60 mL fermentation fluid or 4.17 mL FG extract per L of fermentation fluid) is suggested to achieve desirable effects on methane abatement (30%) and an improvement in fatty acid profiles in animal products.

Characterisation of a low methane emission rice cultivar suitable for cultivation in high latitude light and temperature conditions

Rice cultivation on paddy soil is commonly associated with emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas, but rice varieties may differ in their actual level of emissions. This study analysed methane emissions associated with 22 distinct rice genotypes, using gas chromatography, and identified the cultivar Heijing 5 from northern China as a potential low-methane rice variety. To confirm this and to examine whether Heijing 5 can perform similarly at higher latitudes, Heijing 5 was cultivated in field trials in China (lat. 32° N) and Sweden (lat. 59° N) where (i) methane emissions were measured, (ii) methanogen abundance in the rhizosphere was determined using quantitative PCR, and (iii) the concentrations of nutrients in water and of heavy metals in rice grain and paddy soil were analysed. The results demonstrated that the low-methane rice cultivar Heijing 5 can successfully complete an entire growth period at high-latitude locations such as central Sweden. Massively parallel sequencing of mRNAs identified candidate genes involved in day length and cold acclimatisation. Cultivation of Heijing 5 in central Sweden was also associated with relatively low heavy metal accumulation in rice grains and lowered nutrient losses to neighbouring water bodies.

East Asian methane emissions inferred from high-resolution inversions of GOSAT and TROPOMI observations: a comparative and evaluative analysis

Abstract. We apply atmospheric methane column retrievals from two different satellite instruments (Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite – GOSAT; TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument – TROPOMI) to a regional inversion framework to quantify East Asian methane emissions for 2019 at 0.5∘ × 0.625∘ horizontal resolution. The goal is to assess if GOSAT (relatively mature but sparse) and TROPOMI (new and dense) observations inform consistent methane emissions from East Asia with identically configured inversions. Comparison of the results from the two inversions shows similar correction patterns to the prior inventory in central northern China, central southern China, northeastern China, and Bangladesh, with less than 2.6 Tg a−1 differences in regional posterior emissions. The two inversions, however, disagree over some important regions, particularly in northern India and eastern China. The methane emissions inferred from GOSAT observations are 7.7 Tg a−1 higher than those from TROPOMI observations over northern India but 6.4 Tg a−1 lower over eastern China. The discrepancies between the two inversions are robust against varied inversion configurations (i.e., assimilation window and error specifications). We find that the lower methane emissions from eastern China inferred by the GOSAT inversion are more consistent with independent ground-based in situ and total column (TCCON) observations, indicating that the TROPOMI retrievals may have high XCH4 biases in this region. We also evaluate inversion results against tropospheric aircraft observations over India during 2012–2014 by using a consistent GOSAT inversion of earlier years as an intercomparison platform. This indirect evaluation favors lower methane emissions from northern India inferred by the TROPOMI inversion. We find that in this case the discrepancy in emission inference is contributed by differences in data coverage (almost no observations by GOSAT vs. good spatial coverage by TROPOMI) over the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The two inversions also differ substantially in their posterior estimates for northwestern China and neighboring Kazakhstan, which is mainly due to seasonally varying biases between GOSAT and TROPOMI XCH4 data that correlate with changes in surface albedo.

Lower methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice-aquaculture co-culture systems than from rice paddies in southeast China,

Rice paddies and rice-aquaculture co-culture systems are important sources of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) to the atmosphere. Due to the growing human demand of aquaculture protein and the rapid development of green agriculture, rice-aquaculture co-culture systems have been increasingly developed from rice paddies in southeast China. However, the strength of CH4 and N2O emissions from rice-aquaculture co-culture systems remains poorly quantified, in particular the contribution of these emissions from different functional cultivation areas. Here, a two-year parallel field experiment was conducted to examine the changes in CH4 and N2O fluxes following the conversion from rice paddies to rice-crayfish co-culture systems in southeast China. Over the two-year period, annual CH4 and N2O fluxes from rice-crayfish co-culture systems averaged 4.59 mg m-2 h-1 and 39.50 μg m-2 h-1, amounting to 391.9 kg ha−1 and 3.46 kg ha−1, respectively. The conversion from rice paddies to rice-crayfish co-culture systems significantly reduced CH4 and N2O emissions by 14% and 31%, respectively. The emission factors of N2O were estimated to be 1.25–1.61% in the rice-crayfish co-culture system. Relative to rice planted areas, CH4 and N2O fluxes from crayfish ditched culture areas were three times higher and 50% lower, which contributed 26% and 5% to the total CH4 and N2O emissions from rice-crayfish co-culture systems, respectively. Our results highlight that the conversion of paddy rice monoculture to rice-crayfish co-culture systems can benefit low greenhouse gas emissions and high ecosystem economic profits as a potential option to sustain agricultural development and achieve carbon neutrality.

Evaluation of Rumen Methane Emission in Sahiwal and Gir Calves Supplemented with Combination of Methanogenic Inhibitors

Methane is one of the main greenhouse gases emitted by ruminants around the world. It is essential to investigate novel approaches to increasing animal production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ruminants. This study was conducted to examine the effect of methane inhibitors, such as nitrate, linseed oil, and anthraquinone, on nutritional digestibility, rumen fermentation processes, and methane emission in Sahiwal and Gir cattle calves. Twelve calves (6–12 months old), six of each Sahiwal and Gir breed, were selected and divided into four groups; Sahiwal control (C) and treated (T) calves; Gir control (C) and treated calves (T) of three calves each based on average body weight. Switch over a design was used as for periods 1 and 2. Animals in all groups were fed chopped oat fodder, wheat straw, and a concentrate mixture. Additionally, treated groups were fed a ration with potassium nitrate (1%), linseed oil (0.5%), and anthraquinone (4 ppm). The results revealed that the addition of methane inhibitors had no impact on nutrient intake and apparent digestibility. The levels of propionate, ammonia nitrogen, and total nitrogen were increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05), while butyrate decreased in the treated groups of both breeds. However, there was no change in acetate and pH between the groups. Methane emission (g/d) was lower (p &lt; 0.05) in the treated groups as compared to the control group. This study concludes that supplementation of methane inhibitors in calves feed can be utilized to lower methane emissions without affecting the intake and digestibility of nutrients. Combining diverse dietary mitigation strategies could be an effective way to mitigate methane emissions to reduce global warming while minimizing any negative impacts on ruminants to accomplish sustainable animal production.

Options for net zero emissions hydrogen from Victorian lignite. Part 1: Gaseous and liquefied hydrogen

This two-part paper investigates the feasibility of producing export quantities (770 t/d) of blue hydrogen meeting international standards, by gasification of Victorian lignite plus carbon capture and storage (CCS). The study involves a detailed Aspen Plus simulation analysis of the entire production process, taking into account fugitive methane emissions during lignite mining. Part 1 focusses on the resources, energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions associated with production of gaseous and liquefied hydrogen, while Part 2 focusses on production of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier.In this study, the proposed process comprises lignite mining, lignite drying and milling, air separation unit (ASU), dry-feed entrained flow gasification, gas cooling and cleaning, sour water-gas shift reaction, acid gas removal, pressure swing adsorption (PSA) for hydrogen purification, elemental sulphur recovery, CO2 compression for transport and injection, hydrogen liquefaction, steam and gas turbines to generate all process power, plus an optional post-combustion CO2 capture step. High grade waste heat is utilised for process heat and power generation. Three alternative process scenarios are investigated as options to reduce resource utilisation and greenhouse gas emissions: replacing the gas turbine with renewable energy from off-site wind turbines, and co-gasification of lignite with either biomass or biochar. In each case, the specific net greenhouse gas intensity is estimated and compared to the EU Taxonomy specification for sustainable hydrogen.This is the first time that a coal-to-hydrogen study has quantified the greenhouse gas emissions across the entire production chain, including upstream fugitive methane emissions. It is found that both gaseous and liquefied hydrogen can be produced from Victorian lignite, along with all necessary electricity, with specific emissions intensity (SEI) of 2.70 kg CO2-e/kg H2 and 2.73 kg CO2-e/kg H2, respectively. These values conform to the EU Taxonomy limit of 3.0 kg CO2-e/kg H2. This result is achieved using a Selexol™ plant for CO2 capture, operating at 89.5%–91.7% overall capture efficiency. Importantly, the very low fugitive methane emissions associated with Victorian lignite mining is crucial to the low SEI of the process, making this is a critical advantage over the alternative natural gas or black coal processes.This study shows that there are technical options available to further reduce the SEI to meet tightening emissions targets. An additional post-combustion MDEA CO2 capture unit can be added to increase the capture efficiency to 99.0%–99.2% and reduce the SEI to 0.3 kg CO2-e/kg H2. Emissions intensity can be further reduced by utilising renewable energy rather than co-production of electricity on site. Net zero emissions can then be achieved by co-gasification with ≤1.4 dry wt.% biomass, while a higher proportion of biomass would achieve net-negative emissions. Thus, options exist for production of blue hydrogen from Victorian lignite consistent with a ‘net zero by 2050’ target.

Association between chitosan and unsaturated fatty acids supplementation on ruminal fermentation, digestive metabolism, and ruminal kinetics in beef heifers

This study evaluated the effects of supplementation of chitosan and unsaturated fatty acid (UFAs) sources on intake, digestibility, ruminal and nitrogen metabolism, blood metabolites, and feeding behavior of beef heifers. Five crossbred Simental x Zebu heifers (335 ± 53.2 kg of initial BW), ruminally cannulated, were randomly assigned according to a 5 × 5 Latin square design containing the following treatments: 1) CON, the control diet without supplementation; 2) SO, control diet supplemented with 25.3 g/kg of soybean oil; 3) WRS, control diet supplemented with 160 g/kg of whole raw soybean (WRS); 4) SOCHI, SO diet plus 14 g/kg of CHI; 5) WRSCHI, WRS diet plus 14 g/kg of CHI. No interaction effects between CHI and WRS were observed on nutrient intakes and digestibilities. Heifers fed SO, or WRS diets with or without CHI had lower enteric methane (CH4) emissions (P < 0.01) than those fed CON. Moreover, animals fed SO and WRS had higher CH4 emissions than those fed SOCHI and WRSCHI. No interaction between CHI and WRS was observed on nitrogen balance. However, heifers fed SO or WRS diets with or without CHI had lower nitrogen (N) intake (P = 0.001) and fecal N (P = 0.015) than those fed CON. Besides, animals fed SO and WRS diets showed lower retained N (P = 0.010) and efficiency (P = 0.005) than those fed SOCHI and WRSCHI. Heifers fed SO, or WRS diets with or without CHI showed lower rumination efficiencies of dry matter (DM; P < 0.01) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF; P = 0.013) than those fed CON. Heifers fed SO or WRS with or without CHI, showed lower reticular flows of DM (P = 0.049), NDF (P = 0.002), and potentially digestible NDF (P = 0.002) than those fed CON. In addition, animals fed SO or WRS diets with or without CHI showed a lower rumen digestion rate of DM, turnover rates of DM and NDF, and passage rates of DM and pdNDF than those fed CON. The supply of CHI to beef heifers fed diets with SO and WRS alters ruminal fermentation, methane production, nitrogen balance, feeding behavior, and ruminal dynamics. Nevertheless, the results strengthen the evidence that the provision of CHI in beef cattle diets can positively influence the effect of fatty acid sources. Besides, fatty acids sources provided alone have a negative influence on most metabolism parameters in beef heifers.

Cattles Optimal Diet

Linear programming is an important mathematical technique, which is widely used in military operations, economic analysis, management, and engineering technology to find the optimal choice. Moreover, it is useful when trying to find the best outcome that involves several resource constraints, like animal diet. In this paper, we will become cattle ranchers, trying to figure out the best combination of feeds for the three groups of cattle. We also considered the cattles environmental impact, methane emission, into the linear program. The goal is to minimize the cost while balancing the cattles nutritional needs and lowering methane emissions. The Simplex Loop used to solve linear programs is also explained, however, we used MATLAB to arrive at the solution.

Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from coffee agroforestry systems with different intensities of canopy closure

Agroforestry-based coffee production systems (AFs) contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. However, it is unclear whether AFs produce lower nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions than the open-shade coffee production system. In addition, little to no evidence is available to explain the relationship between canopy cover levels and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in AFs. The aim of this study was to investigate N2O, CH4 and yield-scaled emissions in AFs with differing shade-tree canopy levels. Three canopy cover levels were identified: (i) dense shade (80 % canopy closure), (ii) medium shade (49 % canopy closure), and (iii) open-shade (full sun) production. To determine the effect of canopy cover on GHG emissions under varying soil fertility management practices, three soil fertilization strategies were included: (i) mineral fertilizer, (ii) compost, and (iii) control (i.e., without soil amendment). The results showed that N2O emissions were two-to-three times greater when there was dense canopy cover than from open-shade production. The effect of canopy cover on N2O emission was more pronounced under the mineral fertilizer treatment. CH4 emissions were 44–64 % greater under the open-shade production system than under AFs. The yield-scaled global warming potential of 1 kg of fresh coffee cherries was 0.72 kg CO2eq for open-shade production, 0.58 kg CO2eq for medium canopy cover and 0.52 kg CO2eq for dense canopy cover. This study provides the first evidence of the importance of considering canopy cover intensity when determining the spatial-temporal variations in GHG emissions from agroforestry systems.

The effects of feeding dried browse leaves on rumen ammonia levels, methanogens and protozoa amplification of sheep in the Coastal Savannah of Ghana

Tanniferous browse leaves are reported to inhibit methanogens and protozoa activity in the rumen, thus contributing to a reduction of methane emission. This study evaluated the influence of feeding dried browse leaves to sheep on rumen ammonia concentration, the base pair at which protozoa and methanogens were amplified and double stranded DNA concentration (dsDNA) from rumen fluid and faeces. The eight treatments were urea treated rice straw, Albizzia lebbek (AL), Moringa oleifera (MO), Millettia thonningii (MT), AL + MO, AL + MT, AL + MO + MT and MO + MT. After feeding 32 ram lambs for 3months, one ram lamb on each of the eight experimental diets was randomly selected and slaughtered to obtain rumen fluid. Genomic DNAs were extracted from methanogen and protozoa strains obtained from rumen liquor and from faecal matter of sheep. Rumen ammonia was determined using spectrophotometer. Methanogens and protozoa from rumen fluid and faeces were amplified at 1100 base pair, 200-1100 base pair, 320-1100 base pair and 200-750 base pair respectively. Rumen ammonia concentration, dsDNA from rumen fluid and faeces ranged from 14.51 to 23.01mg/dl, 65 to 900µg/ml and 100 to 950µg/g respectively. The rumen ammonia concentration met the requirements for efficient growth of microbes. The presence of methanogens and protozoa in the rumen fluid and in the faeces indicated that dried browse diets were able to inhibit the growth of both protozoa and methanogens in the rumen by eliminating them, and thus, were excreted in the faeces. Hence, feeding of dried browse leaves can contribute to lower methane emission.

Energy balance and methane emission prediction in Simmental Cross-breed Cattle Feeding different types of forages and concentrates

This study aims to examine the energy balance of Simmental Cross-breed Cattle given different forage and different proportion of concentrates. This research was conducted at Izzah Farm, Boyolali Regency, Central Java. The material for this research consisted of nine bulls with an average initial body weight of 506±80.09 kg. The research design used a completely randomized design with three treatments and three replications each treatment. The feed proportion was 70:30 (concentrate:forage). The treatments were T1=pollard bran+rice bran (1:4) and kolonjono grass, T2 = pollard bran+rice bran (1:4) and fermented rice straw, and T3 = pollard bran+commercial concentrate (1:4) and fermented rice straw. Data were analysed using the Anova test. The results of this study showed that there was no difference (P&lt;.05) in digested energy and metabolized energy with an average of 1.01 MJ/BB0.75/day and 0.77 MJ/BB0.75/day. Energy intake was 1.65 MJ/BB0.75/day. Energy digestibility and methane emission emission were significantly different with an average of 60.22% and 7.40 KJ/100 KJ GEI. The conclusion of this study is that ransom containing pollard bran+commercial concentrate (1:4) and Fermented Rice Straw has low methane emission.

Phenotypic variation in residual feed intake and relationship with body composition traits and methane emissions in growing wether lambs

Context Ruminant livestock industries are seeking to improve efficiency of feed use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Aims The research aimed to measure variation in feed intake and residual feed intake (RFI) in growing lambs and examine the inter-relationships of related traits and diet effects. Methods In Phase 1, 6-month-old Merino wethers (n = 113) were fed a base diet ad libitum for 60 days to measure dry matter intake (DMI), liveweight (LWT) and average daily gain (ADG). Whilst being fed the same base diet, measures of body composition (using computer tomography scanning) and methane emissions were collected. For Phase 2, lambs selected for low or high RFI in Phase 1 were randomly assigned to either a low or high diet and fed ad libitum for 30 days. They were assessed for intake, growth, body composition and CH4 emissions. Key results In Phase 1 there was significant variation in DMI, which was explained by these traits in order of significance (R2 additive): LWT (R2 = 63.9%), ADG (R2 = 70.4%) and fat gain (R2 = 75.7%). In Phase 2, high RFI lambs had higher metabolisable energy intake (MEI; P &lt; 0.05) compared to low RFI lambs. In lambs fed the high diet, intake (DMI and MEI P &lt; 0.001), LWT (P &lt; 0.05), ADG (P &lt; 0.001), fat and lean gain (P &lt; 0.001) were higher than in lambs fed the low diet. Daily methane emissions were highest (P &lt; 0.05) in high RFI lambs fed the high diet. There were no significant effects of RFI or diet on methane yield (MY; g methane/kg DM). Differences in RFI or RFI adjusted for fat gain did not persist to the end of the 30 day feeding period in Phase 2. Conclusions Lambs with low RFI had lower MEI for the same liveweight as well as lower fat and lean gain in the empty bodyweight. They also had lower daily methane emissions compared to those that had high RFI and ate more. Implications The opportunity to select sheep at a young age with lower RFI and lower MEI is of significant production and environmental importance.

&lt;i&gt;Corrigendum to&lt;/i&gt;: Phenotypic variation in residual feed intake and relationship with body composition traits and methane emissions in growing wether lambs

&lt;sec&gt; Context Ruminant livestock industries are seeking to improve efficiency of feed use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. &lt;/sec&gt; &lt;sec&gt; Aims The research aimed to measure variation in feed intake and residual feed intake (RFI) in growing lambs and examine the inter-relationships of related traits and diet effects. &lt;/sec&gt; &lt;sec&gt; Methods In Phase 1, 6-month-old Merino wethers (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt;=113) were fed a base diet &lt;i&gt;ad libitum&lt;/i&gt; for 60days to measure dry matter intake (DMI), liveweight (LWT) and average daily gain (ADG). Whilst being fed the same base diet, measures of body composition (using computer tomography scanning) and methane emissions were collected. For Phase 2, lambs selected for low or high RFI in Phase 1 were randomly assigned to either a low or high diet and fed &lt;i&gt;ad libitum&lt;/i&gt; for 30days. They were assessed for intake, growth, body composition and CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; emissions. &lt;/sec&gt; &lt;sec&gt; Key results In Phase 1 there was significant variation in DMI, which was explained by these traits in order of significance (&lt;i&gt;R&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; additive): LWT (&lt;i&gt;R&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;=63.9%), ADG (&lt;i&gt;R&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;=70.4%) and fat gain (&lt;i&gt;R&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;=75.7%). In Phase 2, high RFI lambs had higher metabolisable energy intake (MEI; &lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&lt;0.05) compared to low RFI lambs. In lambs fed the high diet, intake (DMI and MEI &lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&lt;0.001), LWT (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&lt;0.05), ADG (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&lt;0.001), fat and lean gain (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&lt;0.001) were higher than in lambs fed the low diet. Daily methane emissions were highest (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&lt;0.05) in high RFI lambs fed the high diet. There were no significant effects of RFI or diet on methane yield (MY; g methane/kgDM). Differences in RFI or RFI adjusted for fat gain did not persist to the end of the 30day feeding period in Phase 2. &lt;/sec&gt; &lt;sec&gt; Conclusions Lambs with low RFI had lower MEI for the same liveweight as well as lower fat and lean gain in the empty bodyweight. They also had lower daily methane emissions compared to those that had high RFI and ate more. &lt;/sec&gt; &lt;sec&gt; Implications The opportunity to select sheep at a young age with lower RFI and lower MEI is of significant production and environmental importance. &lt;/sec&gt;

Peternakan Sapi Perah Rendah Emisi Metan : Usulan Pengembangan Badan Usaha Milik Pesantren

&lt;p&gt;The fulfillment of community nutrition, especially the increase in animal protein, can be increased by consuming milk, so there needs to be an increase in national milk production. Increasing national milk production can be done by initiating dairy farming in several areas. Products from dairy farms can be in the form of fresh milk, yogurt, ice cream, and cheese. Dairy farming with low methane emissions is a hope to reduce global warming, so there are several treatments that can be applied, namely the use of tannins, saponins, HMG CoA inhibitors, anthraquinones, nitrates and ration regulation, as well as the application of a biogas system as an alternative energy source.&lt;/p&gt;