Methane Reduction
Methane Reduction - Beef CRC - Beef Genetic Technologies
| The beef industry needs reliable and cost-effective methods to reduce methane production from cattle without compromising (or ideally enhancing) feed efficiency. To do so, the CRC is developing live microbial and/or bio-active products that either alone, or in combination, restrict the production of methane by rumen microbes and also maintain desirable levels of feed digestion. Candidate protein targets and microbes for live microbial and/or bioactive products will be identified during the Beef CRC timeframe, though further development of the candidates into commercial products that have undergone full efficacy testing prior to registration will then require several more years of research and development and significant additional commercialisation funding. Economic benefit: There is a global focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing the environmental footprint of the beef industry. It is estimated that livestock contribute >12% of Australia’s greenhouse gases in the form of methane. These emissions eliminate up to 10% of the energy consumed by an animal. Reducing enteric methane generation, while simultaneously increasing dietary energy capture, will provide significant financial benefits to the Australian cattle industries and the environment. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cattle will also assist Australia to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. |
