Improved grazing and feeding management of sheep can reduce methane emissions per unit of product (feed efficiency) or emissions per unit of feed intake (methane yield).
Livestock produce significant amounts of methane as part of their normal digestive processes. Some feed additives can inhibit the microorganisms that produce methane in the rumen and subsequently reduce methane emissions.
Benefits of using nutrition and feed additives to reduce methane emissions from sheep
Carbon benefits with an approved methodology [1] do not exist.
Co-benefit: this practice can potentially manipulate the quality of the end product (for example, prime lamb).
Opportunities to use feed additives:
- This activity is relevant to all sheep enterprises in Western Australia.
- In WA, about 2 million lambs are finished to slaughter weights each year, either as sucker lambs at weaning or after being finished in the paddock or feedlot.
- Production feeding to increase lamb growth rates, and finish lambs for slaughter at a younger age, reduces the total methane produced per lamb.
Risks associated with using nutrition and feed additives to reduce methane emissions from sheep
- No approved methodology exists.
- Including canola oil in supplementary feed reduces methane emissions but also reduces profit.