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 NCLE July/August 09 Newsletter
Feature Research Project
Greenhouse gas emissions from cattle operations – focusing in while widening the view
As climate change conversations drift around agriculture’s greenhouse gas contribution, invariably the focus shifts to “cow farts” and methane – so often in fact that it’s now common knowledge it’s actually “cow burps” that are the main source. Much like with humans, it’s known that what gases come out depend on what foods go in. The NCLE Agriculture Systems Modeling group, led by Ermias Kebreab is developing models to predict methane emissions more accurately for a given feeding strategy, and they’re not stopping there. In keeping with the NCLE “whole systems” approach, they realize what cattle eat is only part of the picture, and they’re building models that reflect this. Recent work by this group shows current Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) models commonly under‐ or over‐
estimate methane emissions due to certain model assumptions or shortcomings. Daniel Martino, lead author for the IPCC Agriculture chapter, acknowledges another key limitation of the most recent IPCC in livestock systems, “The mitigation potential is underestimated as it considers per‐head emissions only. A more relevant approach would be to look at reducing emissions on a per‐
unit product basis”. By focusing on the emissions of greenhouse gases per litre of milk or pound of meat throughout the entire food system, for example, there are opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the whole production system, beyond the animals themselves. Kebreab agrees, “When we’re looking at cattle, or any livestock for that matter, it’s important to consider the whole production system and net greenhouse gas emissions”. In‐field methane collection
To that end a number of NCLE researchers are working to better understand the various greenhouse gas sources as well as potential sinks that could offset emissions in forage/grassland feeding systems for cattle production. In a pasture setting, potential offsets include carbon sequestration and reduced fossil fuel inputs related to feed production and transportation. In terms of sources, along with enteric methane emissions, greenhouse gases can also be released from cow “pies” and urine patches. The modeling team is working to connect the pieces for a more complete picture of net greenhouse gas emissions. Kebreab has a vision, “The ultimate goal is to develop an inclusive model that accounts for both sources and sinks to determine what greenhouse gas mitigation strategies work best for Manitoba cattle producers.” By developing alternative models or improving existing IPCC models to identify BMPs, the NCLE team is providing valuable predictive tools for provincial, national, and even international applications. For more information on modeling greenhouse gas emissions from cattle, whether based on feeding strategies or whole cattle production systems, please contact Ermias Kebreab ([email protected]). Contact Mario Tenuta ([email protected]) to learn more about greenhouse gas sinks and sources in cattle production systems. Daniel Martino shared his perspective on IPCC in Winnipeg at an IISD panel discussion on defining Canadian considerations for mitigation of greenhouse emissions through land use measures in developing the new International Agreement on Climate Change to replace Kyoto. We want to hear from you! … whether your interest lies in NCLE research, teaching or our extension activities, please direct your inquiries to Christine Rawluk, the NCLE Research Development Coordinator ([email protected]). Help spread the news! Share this newsletter with others who may be interested. Email [email protected] to sign up. NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIVESTOCK
AND THE ENVIRONMENT
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Instant Update
Manitoba Pork Council visits Glenlea Research Station
On July 23rd, members of the Manitoba Pork Council saw first‐hand how the University of Manitoba is working to address some of the challenging issues facing pig producers in Manitoba and how Manitoba Pork’s commitment to support research and outreach at the University of Manitoba shapes the activities taking place at the Glenlea Research Station’s National Centre for Livestock and the Environment and the Glenlea Farm Education Centre. NCLE researchers Don Flaten, Laurie Connor, Martin Nyachoti and Karin Wittenberg were tour hosts. Manitoba Pork generously provided lunch for the tour group and the entire Glenlea Farm staff. Thank you! For tour highlights, visit http://umanitoba.ca/afs/ncle/gallery_MPCvisitJuly09.html Newly Funded Projects
Many new projects are planned for this year at NCLE – here are some of the most recent.
Four NCLE projects recently received funding through the Manitoba Sustainable Agriculture Practices Program (MSAPP) climate change initiative: Greenhouse gas implications of forage‐crop conversions. Funding supports the second year of this project. For more information, contact Mario Tenuta ([email protected]) or read the project summary on our website (http://umanitoba.ca/afs/ncle/Project%20Summaries/Amiro_Tenuta_crop_conversions_and_ghg_losses.html). Effects of manure and formulated N fertilizers on greenhouse gas emissions in the Red River Valley. Contact Ermias Kebreab ([email protected]) or Mario Tenuta ([email protected]) to learn more. Development of the Manure Gas Research Facility (MANGAS‐RF) for modelling greenhouse gas emissions from stored manure: Phase I ‐ evaluation of dietary manipulation effects. For more information, contact Ermias Kebreab ([email protected]) or Mario Tenuta ([email protected]). Soil organic carbon in long‐term crop rotation and management studies in South Central Manitoba and the Red River Valley. A considerable gap in available information on carbon sequestration currently exists for these two regions. The results of this project will provide the most comprehensive assessment of cropping and management strategies and their contribution to carbon sequestration in Manitoba conducted to date. To learn more, contact Mario Tenuta ([email protected]) or Martin Entz ([email protected]). Project Updates Developing a calculator for estimating the fertilizer equivalence of different manures. At the Ian N. Morrison Research Farm Tour and Open House on July 23, Wole Akinremi described how N and P mineralization research at the Carman and Glenlea Research Stations will be used to develop a user friendly model to quantitatively predict manure nutrient availability of different livestock manures. For more information contact Wole Akinremi ([email protected]) or see the project summary on our website (umanitoba.ca/afs/ncle/ResearchProjects.html). Mechanism of delivery of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in beef cattle diets. The feeding trials are in place and expected to run until September. The two most successful diet delivery approaches from this study will be used in the overwintering study to begin this fall. For more information visit the Livestock Management Systems research section of our website (umanitoba.ca/afs/ncle/ResearchProjects.html) or contact Kim Ominski ([email protected]). Visit our website http://www.umanitoba.ca/afs/ncle/ to learn more about these and other NCLE research projects. NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIVESTOCK
AND THE ENVIRONMENT
http://www.umanitoba.ca/afs/ncle