Tag: Methane

Teagasc METH-ABATE project

Source: Teagasc, Athenry

Last week, I got to visit Teagasc in Athenry, County Galway, as part of my research project, which is to contribute to the METH-ABATE project. Emily, a current PhD student, showed us the ongoing work being done here and the details of the trial which is part of the METH-ABATE project. The trial’s duration is 16 weeks. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the effect of promising feed additives from a previous in vitro trial, on methane emissions, production variables and the rumen microbiome in sheep. Below shows the various treatments used during the trial and the differences between treatments in the 2 phases of the trial.

Treatment% inclusionDaily DMI (g DM)Daily additive inclusion  (g)
Control015000
Mootral1150015
Agolin0.01315000.2
Seaweed K2150030
Extract F4150060
UHP A (0.5X)0.15715002.355
UHP B (1X)0.31315004.695
Treatments: Phase 1
Treatment% inclusionDaily DMI (g DM)Daily additive inclusion  (g)
Control015000
Soya Oil (SO)4150060
Extract F4150060
UHP A (2X)0.62615009.39
UHP B (4X)1.252150018.78
UHP A + SO0.626 + 415002.355 + 60
Extract F + SO4 + 4150060 + 60
Treatments: Phase 2

The study consists of 140 sheep, with 20 sheep randomly assigned to each treatment. The feed intake of the sheep are measured and recorded daily. The image below shows the portable accumulation chambers (PAC) used for measuring the emissions from the sheep during the trial. It is a mobile unit which consists of 12 individual chambers. The unit is also used for measuring emissions from flocks of sheep on different farms across the country.

Portable Accumulation Chambers (PAC). Source: Teagasc Athenry.

Then the sheep are placed in the PAC as seen above and their methane output is measured. The ewes are kept in the PAC for 50 minutes and readings of the methane produced during this time are recorded at 25 minutes and 50 minutes using an electronic device seen below. This device shows the amount of methane, oxygen, and carbon dioxide in the chamber.

Device used to read the methane, CO2 and O2 concentrations within the PAC. Source: Teagasc, Athenry.

The data gathered on each animal is then stored on this device below. This data is then easily accesible and transferable online so that the user can analysed the data at a later stage.

Device used for recording and storing all data for the study. Source: Teagasc, Athenry.

All sheep are fed 3 hours before entering the PAC unit. They are then weighed using the electronic scales below, before entering the PAC and this information is stored in the device above. This data is used along with daily feed intake data for each animal to equate the methane emissions produced.

Electronic scales used for weighing the sheep. Source Teagasc, Athenry.

It was a very insightful visit to the research farm, as it showed me the innovative studies aimed at reducing methane from livestock which are ongoing. The PAC unit being used is a novel approach to measuring emissions from livestock in Ireland. It is providing researchers with valuable information on the types of diets which will be best for reducing methane from sheep.

Seaweed inclusion in livestock diets?

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/293d5sb3

Seaweed is currently being investigated for its inclusion in livestock diets to reduce methane emissions. Measuring the methane reductions possible by including seaweed in feeds is an area of research, which is quite topical at present. There are many studies being done currently, to examine the benefits of the inclusion of seaweed into the diets of livestock. All types of seaweeds are being researched and it seems that Australian red seaweed has the greatest potential for reducing methane from livestock. Abbot et al., (2020) has found methane reductions of up to 98% are possible with using some red seaweed types. This article below by Agriland looks at some of the various trials ongoing in various countries.

Farm trials to investigate how seaweed could lower livestock emissions

I have included a paragraph in the discussion of my thesis looking at seaweed as a solution to reducing emissions from ruminant livestock. I have found from my research of the topic that seaweed has great potential to provide a novel solution to methane mitigation from ruminants. However, the effectiveness, feasibility, and practicality of seaweed ingredients being included in livestock diets must be further researched to ensure the seaweed products are a success. There must be accurate measurements carried out on several realistic trials which will show the the emissions savings possible by using the seaweed-based feeds. The results from the studies should be then clearly portrayed, so that the idea can gain public acceptance.

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/xuy5y43y

It also must be factored into consideration, however, that emissions will arise from the collection, manufacturing, and transportation of the seaweed-based products. These emissions would only be taken into consideration when a life cycle assessment (LCA) is carried out. The LCA would take these knock-on emissions by including seaweed in livestock feeds into account. This would allow us to evaluate the overall emissions saved by using the seaweed for this purpose as a livestock feed ingredient.

References:

Abbott, D.W., Aasen, I.M., Beauchemin, K.A., Grondahl, F., Gruninger, R., Hayes, M., Huws, S., Kenny, D.A., Krizsan, S.J., Kirwan, S.F. and Lind, V., 2020. Seaweed and seaweed bioactives for mitigation of enteric methane: Challenges and opportunities. Animals, 10(12), p.2432.

Morais, T., Inácio, A., Coutinho, T., Ministro, M., Cotas, J., Pereira, L., et al. (2020). Seaweed potential in the animal feed: A review. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 8(8), 559.

IPCC stark 2021 report on climate change

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/c6etbatn

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2021 report was published this week. The report has highlighted the devastating impacts of climate change and how these impacts will worsen unless we act now. Some of the main points in the report are:

  1. Key knowledge about changing climate has been strengthened
  2. Humans are indisputibly responsible for these changes
  3. No corner of the earth is unaffected by climate change
  4. Some aspects of the climate system will continue to change for thousands of years
  5. We won’t be able to limit warming to 1.5 degrees without immediate global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
  6. Strong, rapid and sustained reductions in carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases are necessary to limit global warming

Below is a video from the RTÉ news, which portarys the reaction in Ireland to the IPCC report. It is clear that there is urgent need for change, to try and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees in the coming decades.

“Strong, rapid and sustained reductions in methane emissions”

RTÉ news, August 9, 2021

I feel that in order for us to reduce methane emissions from agriculture, there is need for increased and more efficient measuring of emissions such as methane. As stated in the video above, farmers are willing to tackle the challenge facing them with regards to reducing emissions such as methane. The climate action plan which is soon set to be published must financially support those who are willing to adapt.

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/f67h2zsk

My MScCCAFS thesis entitled “Measurement of emissions from ruminant livestock: State of the Art & Future” ties nicely into this topic. I have been looking at, both current and future techniques which can be used for measuring emissions from ruminants. I have found that there is a need for greater research into the topic and a need for greater development of emission measurement strategies. I feel that the measuring of emissions from livestock will underpin the success or failure of emission mitigation strategies from agriculture in future.

References:

IPCC, 2021: Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, A. Pirani, S.
L. Connors, C. Péan, S. Berger, N. Caud, Y. Chen, L. Goldfarb, M. I. Gomis, M. Huang, K. Leitzell, E. Lonnoy, J. B.
R. Matthews, T. K. Maycock, T. Waterfield, O. Yelekçi, R. Yu and B. Zhou (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press. In
Press.

Peter Thorne. (2021). 6 key takeaways from the new climate change report. Available: https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2021/0809/1239772-ipcc-report-2021-key-takeaways/. Last accessed 10th August 2021.