Enteric methane mitigation strategies for ruminant livestock systems in the Latin America and Caribbean region: a meta-analysis.

Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) is a developing region characterized for its importance for global food security, producing 23 and 11% of the global beef and milk production, respectively. The region?s ruminant livestock sector however, is under scrutiny on environmental grounds due to its large contribution to enteric methane (CH4) emissions and influence on global climate change. Thus, the identification of effective CH4 mitigation strategies which do not compromise animal performance is urgently needed, especially in context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) defined in the Paris Agreement of the United Nations. Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to: 1) collate a database of individual sheep, beef and dairy cattle records from enteric CH4 emission studies conducted in the LAC region, and 2) perform a meta-analysis to identify feasible enteric CH4 mitigation strategies, which do not compromise animal performance. After outlier?s removal, 2745 animal records (65% of the original data) from 103 studies were retained (from 2011 to 2021) in the LAC database. Potential mitigation strategies were classified into three main categories (i.e., animal breeding, dietary, and rumen manipulation) and up to three subcategories, totaling 34 evaluated strategies. A random effects model weighted by inverse variance was used (Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V3.3.070). Six strategies decreased at least one enteric CH4 metric and simultaneously increased milk yield (MY; dairy cattle) or average daily gain (ADG; beef cattle and sheep). The breed composition F1 Holstein × Gyr decreased CH4 emission per MY (CH4IMilk) while increasing MY by 99%. Adequate strategies of grazing management under continuous and rotational stocking decreased CH4 emission per ADG (CH4IGain) by 22 and 35%, while increasing ADG by 22 and 71%, respectively. Increased dietary protein concentration, and increased concentrate level through cottonseed meal inclusion, decreased CH4IMilk and CH4IGain by 10 and 20% and increased MY and ADG by 12 and 31%, respectively. Lastly, increased feeding level decreased CH4IGain by 37%, while increasing ADG by 171%. The identified effective mitigation strategies can be adopted by livestock producers according to their specific needs and aid LAC countries in achieving SDG as defined in the Paris Agreement

Comportamiento de machos cebú en corrales presacrificio y su relación con el pH de la carne

The adaptation of an animal to the environment is influenced by several factors, including the methods used for breeding, production and slaughter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the individual behavior of zebu males in pre-slaughter pens and relate it to meat pH. A total of 150 young bulls of the Brahman race, between 24 and 27 months of age and with an average weight of 447.4 ± 35.4 kg, were studied in pre-slaughter pens, evaluating the agonists behavior of each individual for six hours after landing in the Central Ganadera abattoir in abattoir in Medellin. The method used for measuring behavior was a continuous recording at the time of occurrence of any agonist behavior. Relationships between transport time (TT), fasting (FT), live weight (PV), environmental temperature, relative humidity and surface temperature (ventral (VT) and dorsal (DT)), with the meat pH at 24 hours post mortem and animal behavior were estimated. TT (23.1 ± 2.5 hours) influenced the presentation of agonistic behaviors. We conclude that TT greater than 20 hours from the farm to the slaughterhouse, involve increased activity and aggressiveness of animals during lairage in pens, and that FT greater than 38 hours. VT and DT at the time of arrival at the pen, impede the proper descent of meat pH. The temperature at different times increases aggressive behavior. In addition, live weights above 447 kg at slaughter, can affect the proper pH decrease.La adaptación de un animal al medioambiente está influenciada por varios factores, entre ellos los métodos utilizados para la reproducción, producción y sacrificio. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el comportamiento individual de machos cebú en corrales presacrificio y relacionarlo con el pH de la carne. Un total de 150 novillos de la raza Brahman, entre 24 y 27 meses de edad y un peso promedio de 447,4±35,4 kg, fueron estudiados en su etapa previa al sacrificio, evaluando los comportamientos agonistas de cada individuo durante seis horas posteriores al desembarque en la Central Ganadera de Medellín. El método utilizado para medir el comportamiento fue un registro continuo en el momento de ocurrencia de alguno de los comportamientos agonistas. Fueron estimadas las relaciones entre el tiempo de transporte (TT), el tiempo de ayuno (TA), el peso vivo (PV), la temperatura ambiental, humedad relativa, y la temperatura superficial (ventral (TV) y dorsal (TD)), con el pH de la carne a las 24 horas post mortem y los comportamientos agonistas de los animales. Se concluye que un TT superior a 20 horas desde la finca hasta la planta de sacrificio, y un TA mayor a 38 horas, implican un aumento en la actividad y la agresividad de los animales durante su espera en corrales. La TV y TD al momento de llegada al corral, influencian el descenso apropiado del pH de la carne. Los cambios en temperaturas superficiales a diferentes momentos, pueden aumentar el comportamiento agresivo, y además, PV superiores a 447 kg al momento del sacrificio, pueden afectar el descenso adecuado del pH

Reproductive behavior of crossbred dairy cows grazing an intensive silvopastoral system under tropical dry forest conditions

ABSTRACT It is widely accepted that selection for high milk yield in dairy cows has negatively affected their reproductive performance. After calving, dairy cows experience a nutritional imbalance due to an asynchrony in the occurrence of the lactation and dry matter intake peaks. In the tropics, this situation is exacerbated due to poor quality and/ or availability of the diet. A study was carried out to describe the nutritional and reproductive behavior of two-to-four parturition crossbred cows (Gyr (Bos indicus) x Holstein (Bos taurus)) divided in two groups according to their calving to first service interval (CFSI): Group 1: ≤50 days CFSI, n=7; Group 2: ≥50 days CFSI, n=8. Animals were grazing in an intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) based on Leucaena leucocephala and Cynodon plectostachyus and also received protein, energy and mineral supplementation. Dry matter (DMI) and nutrient intake were individually estimated and correlations between reproductive and nutritional parameters were performed. Additionally, serum progesterone concentration was monitored. Group 2 had greater forage and total DMI and milk production than Group 1 (P<0.05). Hence, Group 2 had greater nutrient intake from forages than Group 1 (P<0.05). Group 1 had a positive nutritional balance and an optimum reproductive performance compared to Group 2, which had a negative energy balance and lengthier days with open intervals (P<0.05). It was corroborated that protein and energy are required in adequate levels, to ensure that uterus undergoes involution correctly and ovarian activity starts soon in the postpartum period

Intake, digestion, and nitrogen utilization by sheep fed tropical legumes with contrasting tannin concentration and astringency

We conducted an experiment to determine the effects of concentration and astringency of extractable and bound condensed tannins (CT) in tropical legumes on intake, digestibility, and nitrogen (N) utilization by sheep. The test legumes (Desmodium ovalifolium and Flemingia macrophylla) had similar concentrations of extractable CT (90 g/kg DM) but different concentrations of bound CT and astringency of tannins. Chopped, sun-dried forage of each legume was sprayed with either water (control) or polyethylene glycol (PEG, 35 g/kg of DM) to bind extractable CT and fed daily (26 g/kg BW) to eight sheep with ruminal and duodenal cannulas. The sheep also received starch-extracted cassava meal intraruminally (4 g/kg BW) as a constant source of readily fermentable carbohydrates. Intake of the two legumes was not different (P > .05), but it increased an average of 10% (P < .01) when extractable CT were reduced from 90 to 50 g/kg of DM with PEG. Ruminal and total tract digestibilities of OM, NDF, and ADF were greater (P < .01) with D. ovalifolium than with F. macrophylla and increased for both legumes with the addition of PEG. Greater (P < .01) N flow to the duodenum, N absorbed from the intestine, and fecal N were observed with F. macrophylla than with D. ovalifolium. Extraction of CT with PEG resulted in less (P < .05) ruminal escape protein and less (P < .01) fecal N with both legumes, but apparent postruminal N digestion was not affected. Changes in the concentration of extractable CT in tropical legumes can significantly affect forage intake, digestion, and N utilization by sheep

Reproductive behavior of crossbred dairy cows grazing an intensive silvopastoral system under tropical dry forest conditions

ABSTRACT It is widely accepted that selection for high milk yield in dairy cows has negatively affected their reproductive performance. After calving, dairy cows experience a nutritional imbalance due to an asynchrony in the occurrence of the lactation and dry matter intake peaks. In the tropics, this situation is exacerbated due to poor quality and/ or availability of the diet. A study was carried out to describe the nutritional and reproductive behavior of two-to-four parturition crossbred cows (Gyr (Bos indicus) x Holstein (Bos taurus)) divided in two groups according to their calving to first service interval (CFSI): Group 1: ≤50 days CFSI, n=7; Group 2: ≥50 days CFSI, n=8. Animals were grazing in an intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) based on Leucaena leucocephala and Cynodon plectostachyus and also received protein, energy and mineral supplementation. Dry matter (DMI) and nutrient intake were individually estimated and correlations between reproductive and nutritional parameters were performed. Additionally, serum progesterone concentration was monitored. Group 2 had greater forage and total DMI and milk production than Group 1 (P&lt;0.05). Hence, Group 2 had greater nutrient intake from forages than Group 1 (P&lt;0.05). Group 1 had a positive nutritional balance and an optimum reproductive performance compared to Group 2, which had a negative energy balance and lengthier days with open intervals (P&lt;0.05). It was corroborated that protein and energy are required in adequate levels, to ensure that uterus undergoes involution correctly and ovarian activity starts soon in the postpartum period. Keywords: days open, energy balance, intake, Leucaena, nutritional management RESUMO É amplamente aceito que a seleção para alta produção de leite em vacas leiteiras tem interferido no seu desempenho reprodutivo. Depois do parto, um extraordinário desafio nutritivo é experimentado pelas vacas leiteiras, devido a uma assincronia entre a ocorrência do pico de lactação e a do pico de consumo de matéria seca. Este estudo foi realizado para descrever o comportamento reprodutivo de vacas mestiças de dois a quatro partos (Gyr (Bos indicus) x Holstein (Bos taurus)), divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com seu intervalo parto ao primeiro serviço (IPPS)

Consumo y digestibilidad en novillos cebuínos en un sistema silvopastoril intensivo

The determination of the dry matter intake (DMI) of animals is essential to determine the productive ability and nutritional status of domestic animals. Many techniques exist for esti- mating DMI and that of n-alkanes has shown special appeal, since it also allows the determi- nation of the selectivity of the fodder consumed. The present study aimed to estimate voluntary feed intake and fecal nutrient excretion in Zebu steers fed in an intensive silvopastoral system (ISS). The study was conducted at the Cotové Research Center of the National University of Colombia in Santa Fe, Antioquia. Six steers with an average weight of 381.16±12.1 kg were evaluated and the n-alkane technique was used to determine DMI. The average for- age DMI intake was 9.54 kg day -1 of which, 75.24 % corresponded to intake of grasses and 24.76 % to legume intake. Nutrient intake (kg) was 1.33, 5.8, 4.02, 1.13, 0.058 and 0.021 for CP, NDF, ADF, ashes, Ca and P, respectively. These intakes were adequate for the type of animals evaluated and provided a diet of good nutritional quality. The digestibility was 53 % for the diet without supplementation and 58 % for the diet with supplementation, which together with the DMI data, suggests that animals met their requirements of key nutri- ents. In turn, nutrient excretion (kg) was 4.15, 0.44, 2.56, 1.78, 0.8, 0.054 y 0.02 for DN, CP, NDF, ADF, ashes, Ca and P, respectively. Faecal N excretion was calculated at 29,9 kg per animal per year, and this contributes to the biomass production of the ISS grasses.La determinación del consumo voluntario de materia seca (CMS) por los animales, es indispensable para determinar su capacidad productiva y su estado nutricional. Existen muchas técnicas para la estimación del CMS, siendo una de ellas la técnica de n-alcanos la cual permite además estimar la selectividad de los forrajes consumidos. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo estimar el consumo voluntario y la excreción fecal de nutrientes por no- villos cebuínos alimentados en un sistema silvopastoril intensivo (SSPi). El estudio se realizó en el Centro Experimental Cotové, propiedad de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Se evaluaron seis novillos castrados con un peso promedio de 381±12 kg y se utilizó la técnica de alcanos para determinar CMS. El CMS promedio de forraje fue de 9,54 kg dia -1 , del cual, el 75,24 % correspondió a consumo de gramíneas y el 24,76 % a consumo de leguminosa. En promedio, el consumo de nutrientes (kg) fue de 1,33; 5,8; 4,02; 1,13; 0,058 y 0,021 para PC, FDN, FDA, Cenizas, Ca y P respectivamente. Estos consumos fueron adecuados para el tipo de animales del estudio aportando una dieta de buena calidad nutricional. La digestibilidad fue del 53 % para el tratamiento sin inclusión del suplemento y del 58 % para el tratamiento con suplemento, lo que junto con el CMS, permite afirmar que los animales satisficieron sus requerimientos de los principales nutrientes. Las cantidades excretadas (kg) fueron 4,15; 0,44; 2,56; 1,78; 0,8; 0,054 y 0,02 para MS, PC, FDN, FDA, Cenizas, Ca y P, respectivamente. La excreción fecal de N por animal al año se calculó en 29,9 kg, contribuyendo a la producción de biomasa de las gramíneas acompañantes en el SSPi

Desempeño productivo de pollos de engorde suplementados con biomasa de saccharomyces cerevisiae derivada de la fermentación de residuos de banano

El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto de la inclusión de diferentes niveles de biomasa de levaduras producidas al fermentar hidrolizados de residuos de la industria bananera sobre los parámetros zootécnicos de pollos de engorde, evaluando además el impacto económico de su uso en las dietas. El estudio se realizó en el Centro Agrario San Pablo de la Universidad Nacional Sede Medellín. Se utilizaron 210 pollos de engorde de un día de edad, distribuidos completamente al azar en cinco tratamientos, en una relación de seis réplicas por tratamiento con siete pollos por réplica. El periodo experimental comprendió 42 días, el alimento y agua fue a voluntad. Las dietas experimentales fueron: T1- Control negativo sin levadura, T2- Control positivo con levadura comercial a razón de 1,5 kg ton-1 de alimento, T3-Levadura experimental arazón de 0,5 kg ton-1 de la dieta, T4- Levadura experimental a razón de 1,0 kg ton-1 de la dieta y T5- Levadura experimental a razón de 1,5 kg ton-1 de la dieta. Se observó mayor consumo de acumulado alimento en el tratamiento 4 (1kg ton-1 de levadura) con respecto a los demás tratamientos evaluados. No hubo diferencias significativas (P and gt;0,05) en las otras variables evaluadas en el estudio. Hubo un beneficio económico de incluir el tratamiento 4, con el cual se obtuvieron mayores retornos (precio de venta del pollo – costo de la alimentación) que fueron mayores a los observados en los tratamientos 1, 2, 3 y 5 en 153, 82, 62 y 161 pesos ave-1, respectivamente

Desempeño productivo de pollos de engorde suplementados con biomasa de saccharomyces cerevisiae derivada de la fermentación de residuos de banano

El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto de la inclusión de diferentes niveles de biomasa de levaduras producidas al fermentar hidrolizados de residuos de la industria bananera sobre los parámetros zootécnicos de pollos de engorde, evaluando además el impacto económico de su uso en las dietas. El estudio se realizó en el Centro Agrario San Pablo de la Universidad Nacional Sede Medellín. Se utilizaron 210 pollos de engorde de un día de edad, distribuidos completamente al azar en cinco tratamientos, en una relación de seis réplicas por tratamiento con siete pollos por réplica. El periodo experimental comprendió 42 días, el alimento y agua fue a voluntad. Las dietas experimentales fueron: T1- Control negativo sin levadura, T2- Control positivo con levadura comercial a razón de 1,5 kg ton-1 de alimento, T3-Levadura experimental arazón de 0,5 kg ton-1 de la dieta, T4- Levadura experimental a razón de 1,0 kg ton-1 de la dieta y T5- Levadura experimental a razón de 1,5 kg ton-1 de la dieta. Se observó mayor consumo de acumulado alimento en el tratamiento 4 (1kg ton-1 de levadura) con respecto a los demás tratamientos evaluados. No hubo diferencias significativas (P and gt;0,05) en las otras variables evaluadas en el estudio. Hubo un beneficio económico de incluir el tratamiento 4, con el cual se obtuvieron mayores retornos (precio de venta del pollo – costo de la alimentación) que fueron mayores a los observados en los tratamientos 1, 2, 3 y 5 en 153, 82, 62 y 161 pesos ave-1, respectivamente

Emmisions from livestock and manure management.

This chapter provides guidance on methods to estimate emissions of methane from Enteric Fermentation in livestock, and methane and nitrous oxide emissions from Manure Management. Carbon dioxide(CO2)emissions from livestock are not estimated because annual net CO2emissions are assumed to be zero ?the CO2photosynthesized by plants is returned to the atmosphere as respired CO2. A portion of the C is returned as methane (CH4)and for this reason CH4 requires separate consideration