Strong US consumer support for methane feed inhibitors
This is according to Prof. Ermias Kebreab, associate dean for global engagement at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California (UC), Davis.
However he believes this figure could rise if consumers were given more information on current research into the use of ruminant feed additives as a way of reducing enteric methane production levels.
'Dairy farmers in California have broadly welcomed the research on appropriate feed additives that has taken place up to this point. Meanwhile, beef farmers want to see more research taking place that meets their specific needs,' Kebreab said.
Methane feed inhibitors
Prof. Kebreab recently delivered a lecture to an invited audience comprising academics and representatives from Northern Ireland's agri-food sectors at Queen's University, Belfast.
He confirmed that, on a global basis, land use changes remain the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
'However, enteric methane emissions represent the most significant agricultural source of global warming gases in those parts of the world where farming practices have remained relatively constant for a number of decades,' he said.
Kebreab added that the significant curtailment of enteric methane emissions offered one of the very few ways in which the world could hope to meet its global-warming-related, temperature rise targets.
According to the UC Davis academic there are three ways of reducing enteric methane emission levels. These are: animal and feed management; diet formulation; rumen manipulation.
Kebreab said that, in many parts of the world, driving output levels, improving diets and securing higher levels of enterprise efficiency will be the most impactful way of obtaining reduced levels of methane emission within ruminant populations.
He specifically referenced the recent establishment of a Global Methane Hub.
Its role will be to accelerate action by governments, civil society, researchers, investors, and the private sector to develop and implement strategies that will catalyse rapid systemic reductions in methane emissions in the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors.
The target set for this umbrella body is challenging – to secure a 35% reduction in global methane emissions by 2030, rising to 50% by 2050.
It has been estimated that reducing methane emission levels by 45% is crucial to reducing global warming by 0.3°.
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