Impact of diet on greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen excretion in livestock

Equipe ESGpec
Aug 5, 2024
4 min read

Ruminant diets play a crucial role in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nitrogen (N) excretion in dairy production systems. A comprehensive analysis of these emissions is essential to understanding the direct and indirect effects of dietary components on the entire production system.

Comprehensive Assessment of Diet and GHG Emissions

Diet Impact on Total Farm Emissions:

The study "An integral assessment of the impact of diet and manure management on whole-farm greenhouse gas and nitrogen emissions in dairy cattle production systems using process-based models" highlighted the importance of considering all farm components, including animals, manure management, and soil, for an accurate assessment of emissions. Diets directly influence the amount of methane (CH₄) produced, especially through enteric fermentation in ruminants.

The same article highlights the possibility of models (*, **) predicting gas emissions based on changes in animal feed and management.

Benefits and Challenges of Including Concentrated Foods

The inclusion of concentrates in the diet can reduce methane production by promoting the formation of propionate, which generates less free hydrogen in the rumen and, consequently, less methane. However, diets with high concentrate inclusion (>60%) can cause metabolic disorders, such as ruminal acidosis, in addition to increasing feed costs. Therefore, a moderate inclusion of concentrates, complemented by high-quality forages, is recommended to optimize energy production and sustainably reduce GHG emissions.

This indicates that it is advantageous to add concentrated feeds to reduce emissions, but care must be taken not to overdo it, avoiding health problems in animals or the economic unfeasibility of the system. Ultimately, for health, productivity, and emissions, the key is to use balanced diets according to the animal category.

Effects of Diet on Nitrogen Excretion

Diets high in protein can result in high nitrogen excretion in the urine, contributing to environmental pollution. Formulating diets with adequate levels of protein and amino acids is an effective strategy for reducing nitrogen excretion and improving nutrient use efficiency.

Attention to nitrogen excretion reinforces the importance of a balanced diet.

Final Considerations

Optimizing ruminant diets is an effective approach to reducing GHG emissions and nitrogen excretion, promoting more sustainable and balanced animal production. Implementing these practices requires careful analysis of the animals' nutritional needs and management conditions, always aiming for a balance between productivity and sustainability.

In short, adequate animal nutrition is crucial for sustainable production, with lower GHG emissions and less nitrogen excretion into the environment.

* Tier 3 Dutch Models

Dutch Tier 3 models are a procedural approach used to simulate and predict greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural systems. These models are based on detailed input data, such as animal diet composition, manure management, and agricultural practices. They are called Tier 3 because they represent the most detailed level of modeling, considering the internal dynamics of the systems and the interactions between different components, such as soil, plants, and animals.

** Denitrification-Decomposition Model (DNDC)

The Denitrification-Decomposition (DNDC) model is a process model that simulates carbon and nitrogen fluxes in agricultural systems. It is used to estimate GHG emissions, such as methane (CH₄) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and other compounds such as ammonia (NH₃) and nitrate (NO₃⁻). DNDC integrates processes such as organic matter decomposition, nitrification, denitrification, and ammonia volatilization, providing a comprehensive view of nitrogen and carbon fluxes in different agricultural environments.

References:

An integral assessment of the impact of diet and manure management on whole-farm greenhouse gas and nitrogen emissions in dairy cattle production systems using process-based models: The study assesses the impact of diet and manure management on total GHG and N emissions in dairy cattle production systems. Using process-based models, the study examines variations in emissions according to diet type and production system. Highlights: assessing the impact of diet on total farm emissions is crucial; process-based models capture within-herd and between-year variations in emissions; pasture-based and feedlot-based systems have different carbon footprints; process-based models capture the dietary effects on the farm's carbon and nitrogen cycle. It highlights the importance of an integrated assessment of GHG and nitrogen emissions in dairy cattle production systems, considering the impact of diets and manure management. [ Read more ]

Dietary Manipulation: A Sustainable Way to Mitigate Methane Emissions from Ruminants: This article discusses sustainable ways to manipulate diet to mitigate methane emissions in ruminants. [ Read more ]
Effective nutritional strategies to mitigate enteric methane in dairy cattle : This article analyzes effective nutritional strategies to mitigate enteric methane in dairy cattle, highlighting different approaches to reducing methane emissions. [ Read more ].

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