Uptake by Canadian dairy producers of a new breeding tool aimed at decreasing their herd’s methane emissions hasn’t been overwhelming, representatives of Semex Alliance admitted recently. However, given the potential long-term interest, neither Semex nor the organization with which it partnered on developing the tool is concerned. Why it matters: The Canadian dairy sector’s commitments […] Read more
Tag Archives methane — page 2
Methane breeding tool’s developers look to long-term adoption
Uptake has been slow among producers, but the discussion on methane efficiency has begun
Monitoring enteric methane emissions on pasture
University of Guelph investigating link between feed efficiency and enteric methane
Feeding canola oil to beef cows could be one way to reduce their enteric methane emissions and increase feed efficiency. University of Guelph researchers adopted unique technology to investigate the link between feed efficiency and enteric methane emissions. Feed-efficient cattle reduce farmer costs, and lower enteric methane can help with greenhouse gas emission issues, creating […] Read more
Dairy farmer eager to see results of low-methane breeding decisions
Lynden-area farmer's herd one of the first to use trait
Reuters — When dairy farmer Ben Loewith’s calves are born next spring, they will be among the first in the world to be bred with a specific environmental goal: burping less methane. Loewith, a third-generation farmer in Lynden, started artificially inseminating 107 cows and heifers in June with the first-to-market bull semen with a low-methane […] Read more
Reducing dairy methane starts with feed
AAFC researcher reviews what farmers can do to mitigate methane
Feeding strategies can play an important role in helping dairy farmers in Canada achieve the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, a target set by the Dairy Farmers of Canada. In the life cycle of dairy farms, nearly 50 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from methane of enteric origin, mainly in the […] Read more
Researchers examine role of soil microbes in GHG emissions
Guelph study compares coniferous, deciduous and grass riparian buffer zones
Researchers at the University of Guelph are studying how best management practices on farms affect soil microbial communities and greenhouse gas emissions. Kari Dunfield, professor and Canada Research Chair in the School of Environmental Sciences, postdoctoral researchers Dasiel Obregon and Tolulope Mafa-Attoye and other collaborators recently published studies on whether riparian buffer systems produce greenhouse […] Read more
New Lactanet breeding index tackles methane emissions
World-first approach uses mid-infrared milk data to estimate individual cow emissions
Aworld-leading approach to creating a methane-specific breeding index has been developed by Lactanet and will launch next month. Not content to wait until “sniffer” technology for measuring bovine methane emissions eventually becomes more affordable, the Canadian dairy data collection and genetics analysis organization developed the index based on milk samples. Ahead of the index’s official […] Read more
U.S. EPA proposes revamp of biofuel program to include EVs
Mandated biofuel levels to rise through 2025
New York | Reuters — U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration on Thursday unveiled a three-year proposal to expand the U.S. biofuels policy with bigger volume mandates and — for the first time — to include a pathway for electric vehicle manufacturers to generate lucrative credits. Biden wants to fight climate change by reducing fossil fuel […] Read more
Farm climate innovation commitments at COP27 double to US$8 billion
Agriculture could outpace other industries to net zero: Vilsack
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt | Reuters — An initiative led by the United States and the United Arab Emirates to help agriculture adapt to climate change and reduce emissions through innovation has doubled investment commitments to US$8 billion and extended its reach, it said on Friday. The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) was […] Read more
First methane-fuelled tractor hits the market
New Holland releases its alternative-fuel T6.180 Methane Power
Glacier FarmMedia – New Holland has been teasing us with alternative-fuel concept tractors for several years. We’ve seen the blue brand show both hydrogen- and methane-powered machines at prominent events like Agritechnica. The company has even gone so far as to establish an energy self-sufficient demonstration farm in Europe, where new machines undergo real-world testing. Now, we’re […] Read more
Ireland looks to seaweed in quest to curb methane from cows
While there’s lots of interest in the method, it’s years away from mass production
Reuters – Scientists are combing Ireland’s west coast for seaweed to feed to cattle and sheep after research showed it could stop them breathing out so much climate-warming methane. The project, co-ordinated by a state agriculture body, is tapping into the country’s growing seaweed harvesting industry, which is seeking new markets as it revives centuries-old […] Read more
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