GHG LIVESTOCK

Question 1

what is the target of global warming restriction for the Paris Agreement?

Answer 1

Limiting global warming to < 2°C, if not < 1.5°C

Question 2

what has been the main contributor of GHG emissions?

Answer 2

Most of this has come from CO2 from fossil fuel and cement production.

Question 3

What is the plan for agricultural-related emissions of GHG’s around 2050 according to the Paris agreement?

Answer 3

that it would transition from a net source to a net sink of GHG emissions.

Question 4

what is methanogenesis?

Answer 4

the anaerobic respiration that generates methane as the final product of metabolism.

Question 5

how much methane do cows produce each day compared to sheep?

Answer 5

cows = ~200l/day
sheep= ~30l/day

Question 6

ruminant animals digest … via a … relationship with ruminal microorganisms.

Answer 6

cellulose
symbiotic

Question 7

the digestive system changes … … into compounds that are easily … into the bloodstream.
… are those animals that contain a multi-chambered … system
… gain the majority of their nutritional needs from … and other roughages.

Answer 7

food nutrients
absorbed
ruminants
digestive
cattle
forages

Question 8

ruminants can’t directly break … down, but … do that by absorbing … that they can use.

Answer 8

cellulose
microbes
sugars

Question 9

having animals on a farm means manure is deposited on field which decomposes; get … coming out as well as … …
… … is even more powerful a GHG than …

Answer 9

methane
nitrous oxide
nitrous oxide
methane

Question 10

Non-ruminants include…

Answer 10

• chicken eggs
• chicken meat
• pig meat

Question 11

Ruminants include…

Answer 11

• cow beef
• cattle meat
• buffalo (milk and meat)
• small ruminants (milk and meat)
• draft, fiber and manure used as fuel

Question 12

livestock contribute …% of human-made GHG emissions.

Answer 12

14.5%

Question 13

what are the relative contributions of enteric fermentation, manure-related emissions, animal feed production, land-use change for livestock & post-farm emissions on livestock GHG emissions?

Answer 13

enteric fermentation ~40%
manure-related ~25%
animal feed ~13%
land-use change ~10%
post-farm emissions ~2.9%

Question 14

… and … are not GHGs, but are released by … and have negative effects on health and …

Answer 14

NH3 (ammonia)
NOx (nitrous oxide)
agriculture
ecosystems

Question 15

Of the >2000 million tons of grain crop production/livestock feed, only about …% is fit for human consumption

Answer 15

14; 86% is not fit for human consumption

Question 16

what are the facts and disadvantages of feedlots?

Answer 16

• calves spend about 1 year in pasture (less time)
• transferred to a feedlot for “finishing” and fed high energy grains
• slaughtered when aged 14-18 months
• average 1350 lb
  disadvantages:
• environmental
• antibiotics in feed
• grain production and shipment
• animal welfare

Question 17

what are the facts and disadvantages of grass-fed cattle?

Answer 17

• entire lives in pasture
• slaughtered when aged 18-24 months (older)
• average weight 1200 lb
  disadvantages:
• more land required
• GHG emissions 37% higher due to longer finishing times and weight (Lupo et al., 2013)

Question 18

what are some options for reducing CH4 and N2O emissions?

Answer 18

• grassland management (get more C into soil, reduce NOx released)
• manure management
• animal health
• feed & nutrition
• animals genetics & breeding (grow healthier & quicker, more weight more quickly, reduces waste)
• rumen modification

Question 19

Grazed pastures promote … of extensive roots and … adds to soil carbon.
Maintaining UK grassland landscapes without grazing would require … mowing.
… management (also called planned grazing, r… grazing, m.. grazing)

Answer 19

growth
manure
mechanical
holistic
regenerative
mob