RUMINANTS AND GREENHOUSE GASSES SUSTAINABLE FEEDING STRATEGIES TO BALANCING THE ISSUES

Abstract

Domestic ruminants contribute 16.5 % of the total methane emission to theenvironment and 3.5% of the global warming effect. Methane emission needsto be reduced by 10-20% to stabilize the methane concentration in theatmosphere. Emission of methane from ruminants can be reduced by twoways; reducing per animal emission by efficient fibre digestion and reducingthe number of ruminants by efficient nutrient utilization. Feeding strategiesbased on fossil-fuel-demanding concentrate diets produce more CO2 andconsume voluble natural resources while reducing methane. The most widelyused second feeding strategy uses low quality forages and agro-industrial byproducts. Even though this practice reduces the problems associated with thefirst one, it emits more CH4 due to the deficiencies of many critical nutrientsrequired for efficient microbial activity in the rumen. These critical nutrientsare N, minerals such as P and S, readily available carbohydrates, true proteinsand rumen undegradable proteins. Protozoal activity and low undegradableprotein levels reduce both the quality and quantity of the amino acids andother nutrients absorbed in the small intestine. The composite result of thesecond feeding practice is increased total CH4 emission. Among the solutionsdiscussed in this paper in addressing those problems, tree legumes could playa pivotal role. It is concluded that feeding strategies for ruminants should bebased on materials such as forages and agro-industrial-by products thatconsumes less fossil fuels and natural resources. However, unless theproblems associated with these resources are not properly corrected, thisstrategy would be countered productive.