Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in livestock production � A review of technical options for non-CO2 emissions

FAO ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND HEALTH - PAPER 177

Mitigation of greenhouse
gas emissions in
livestock production
A review of technical
options for non-CO₂emissions

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Rome 2013

ABSTRACT

Animal agriculture substantially contributes to the world economy by providing food, jobs, and financial security for billions of people. With increasing concerns over global climate change and pollution, efforts are underway to reduce the overall environmental impact of animal production. This document analyzes emission of non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases, an important segment of the environmental footprint of animal production. It has been developed by a team that included experts in animal/ruminant nutrition, manure and soil management, animal and whole-farm modeling, and animal reproduction. Over 900 publications focusing on nutritional and manure management mitigation strategies for methane (enteric or from manure) and nitrous oxide emissions were reviewed and analyzed, and a synthesis of feed-, animal managementand manure management-based mitigation approaches and interactions amongst them has been presented. This document will help researchers, animal industry consultants, policy-makers, animal producers, non-governmental organizations, and other groups with interest in maintaining a viable and environmentally-responsible animal production sector to make sound decisions on selection and adoption of effective and economically feasible greenhouse gas mitigation practices.

Table of Contents

Editors’ preface Abstract Abbreviations and acronyms
Introduction
Livestock global non-CO₂ greenhouse gas emissions Scope and approach Approach
Mitigation practices
Enteric fermentation
Introduction to stoichiometry of rumen carbohydrate fermentation Feed supplements
	Inhibitors Electron receptors Ionophores Plant bioactive compounds (PBAC) Dietary lipids Exogenous enzymes Direct-fed microbials Defaunation Manipulation of rumen archaea and bacteria
Feeds and feeding management
	Effect of feed intake Concentrate inclusion Forage quality and management Feed processing Mixed rations and feeding frequency Precision feeding and feed analyses Mitigation options for production systems based on low-quality feeds
Manure and manure management
Diet manipulation and nutrient balance
	Dietary management and N₂O emissions from manure Dietary protein content Dietary tannins (ruminants only) Dietary manipulation
Biofiltration Manure storage and separation Manure storage covers Manure acidification Composting Anaerobic digestion Manure application Urease and nitrification inhibitors Control of manure greenhouse gas emissions through grazing practices Cover cropping Other manure treatments
Animal husbandry
Enhancing animal productivity
	Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) Animal genetics Animal health and mortality
Animal fertility
Species summaries by management system
Interactions among mitigation practices
Interactions in the rumen
Protozoal-methanogen relationships N retention and CH₄ emissions
Interactions among feed additives, ration, enteric CH₄ and animal productivity Interactions among feeding practices, manure storage and land application Interactions among nutrition, animal health and productivity
Appendix 1
Enteric methane prediction equations
Appendix 2
Mitigation options summary table
Bibliography

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