Dietary alternatives in livestock production for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in Mexico: GHG mitigation in Mexico

A constant growth in the population, as well as a demand for natural resources and the climate change effect have lead to the seek of new feedstuffs sources which may satisfy the nutritional requirements of productive ruminants and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the livestock activity. In this way, industrial wastes and agricultural shears have been subjected of many researches worldwide. Likewise, the use of aquatic macrophytes as forage sources in ruminants feeding emerges as an option. Additionally, the implementation of forest livestock systems has resurged as a real alternative in the battle against the erosion in arable lands. Regarding to the latter, this literature review recommends the use of agricultural shears, industrial wastes, and other feedstuffs sources as a sustainable alternative in the reduction of GHG in livestock systems as a contribution to the mitigation of the climate change effect.Objective: To analyze the alternative sources of food for livestock production to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in Mexico.Design/methodology/approach: A document archive analysis was carried out about the use of certain industrial and agricultural wastes in Mexico in the last decade, and how these can serve as an alternative source of animal feed; these offer certain chemical properties that promote the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in livestock systems and also generate an added value in the agricultural and industrial sector.Results: Agricultural and industrial production in Mexico generates an important amount of wastes that are not exploited; in parallel, livestock production in Mexico is growing exponentially, which demands a surface and consumption of natural resources. Therefore, agricultural and industrial residues in Mexico represent a potential alternative source of animal feed, which offers a reduction in the surface destined to the production of food for animals and gives an added value to the industrial and agricultural residues in the country.Study limitations/implications: The alternative sources of food adjust to the agricultural and industrial sectors.Findings/conclusions: The use of agricultural residues, industrial wastes, and other alternate sources of food is suggested as a sustainable alternative in the reduction of GHG in livestock systems and a contribution to the mitigation of climate change in Mexico