Beef CRC calls for Copenhagen cattle
Beef CRC calls for Copenhagen cattle - Beef CRC - Beef Genetic Technologies
| 17 December 2009 |
 As the world awaits the outcome of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, the Australian beef industry is researching new ways to reduce methane emissions in cattle by 50 per cent by 2030.Speaking at a Beef CRC producer and stakeholder forum in Brisbane recently, Beef CRC CEO, Dr Heather Burrow said advances in genetic research, combined with on-farm management practices, could create the tools needed to substantially reduce methane emissions. Accounting for about three-quarters of all livestock emissions, Australia’s 27 million cattle produce an estimated 220g of methane each per day. “Methane is produced in the animal’s rumen during the feed digestion process. The gas is then released into the atmosphere principally through burps and also manure,” said Dr Burrow. “Beef CRC, through organizations like CSIRO Livestock Industries, Meat & Livestock Australia and the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation is attempting to identify families of methane-producing microbes using genetic screening techniques.” Dr Burrow said another focus of the work is studying the hydrogen produced in the rumen during digestion that leads to methane production. “We want to see if some of the hydrogen can be recycled and directed to other production traits, to reduce its impact on producing methane and improve the animal’s productive capabilities,” she said. A decade of work carried out by the Department of Industry and Investment New South Wales indicates there may also be a genetic factor in methane production. “Some animals actually produce significantly more methane than the average, while others produce significantly less. This indicates the animal’s genetic make-up may determine how much methane they produce.” Beef CRC scientists believe a reduction in carbon emissions from cattle of up to 50 per cent may be possible. Employing approximately 121,000 workers, the Australian beef industry is worth more than $10 billion dollars to the domestic economy. “A carbon constrained economy will impact on productivity, particularly for beef producers,” Dr Burrow said. “If the beef industry is serious about reducing its methane emissions, an integrated genetic and on-farm management approach with feed and bioactive compounds is needed.” |
| For further information, contact Margaret Puls, acting Communications Manager, 0419 578 356 |
