Methane emissions from feedlot cattle in Australia and Canada

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. McGinn ◽  
D. Chen ◽  
Z. Loh ◽  
J. Hill ◽  
K. A. Beauchemin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Methane Concentration ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Feedlot Cattle ◽  
Ch4 Emission ◽  
Summer Period ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Humidity Index

Raising beef cattle in open feedlots is a well established practice in Canada and is gaining acceptance in Australia because it results in more consistent meat quality. These facilities are regional ‘hot spots’ of methane (CH4) emissions, resulting from the high stocking density and the large amount of fermentation occurring in the rumen (enteric CH4). Our objective was to compare CH4 emissions from a typical feedlot in Australia (Queensland) and in Canada (Alberta) and also to compare these against modelled emissions. Methane concentration and wind data were monitored over a portion of each feedlot and a dispersion model was used to calculate CH4 emissions during a summer period. The average CH4 emission was 166 ± 90 and 214 ± 61 g/animal.day for the feedlot in Queensland and in Alberta, respectively. The lower CH4 emission at the Queensland feedlot was attributed to the lighter weight of the cattle, and consequently their lower intake, and supplementation of the diet with lipids. The lipid effect on CH4 emissions is also speculated to cause some models to overestimate the measured CH4 emissions. A lower CH4 emission also occurred during daylight hours at the Queensland feedlot and was attributed in part to heat stress as defined by the temperature–humidity index.

scholarly journals Characterization of Short-Term Heat Stress in Holstein Dairy Cows Using Altered Indicators of Metabolomics, Blood Parameters, Milk MicroRNA-216 and Characteristics

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 722
Author(s):  
Jang-Hoon Jo ◽  
Jalil Ghassemi Nejad ◽  
Dong-Qiao Peng ◽  
Hye-Ran Kim ◽  
Sang-Ho Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Humidity Index ◽  
Holstein Dairy Cows

This study aims to characterize the influence of short-term heat stress (HS; 4 day) in early lactating Holstein dairy cows, in terms of triggering blood metabolomics and parameters, milk yield and composition, and milk microRNA expression. Eight cows (milk yield = 30 ± 1.5 kg/day, parity = 1.09 ± 0.05) were homogeneously housed in environmentally controlled chambers, assigned into two groups with respect to the temperature humidity index (THI) at two distinct levels: approximately ~71 (low-temperature, low-humidity; LTLH) and ~86 (high-temperature, high-humidity; HTHH). Average feed intake (FI) dropped about 10 kg in the HTHH group, compared with the LTLH group (p = 0.001), whereas water intake was only numerically higher (p = 0.183) in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Physiological parameters, including rectal temperature (p = 0.001) and heart rate (p = 0.038), were significantly higher in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Plasma cortisol and haptoglobin were higher (p < 0.05) in the HTHH group, compared to the LTLH group. Milk yield, milk fat yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), and energy-corrected milk (ECM) were lower (p < 0.05) in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Higher relative expression of milk miRNA-216 was observed in the HTHH group (p < 0.05). Valine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, lactic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, 1,5-anhydro-D-sorbitol, myo-inositol, and urea were decreased (p < 0.05). These results suggest that early lactating cows are more vulnerable to short-term (4 day) high THI levels—that is, HTHH conditions—compared with LTLH, considering the enormous negative effects observed in measured blood metabolomics and parameters, milk yield and compositions, and milk miRNA-216 expression.

scholarly journals Experiments on Energy-Efficient Evaporative Cooling Systems for Poultry Farm Application in Multan (Pakistan)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2836
Author(s):  
Khawar Shahzad ◽  
Muhammad Sultan ◽  
Muhammad Bilal ◽  
Hadeed Ashraf ◽  
Muhammad Farooq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Evaporative Cooling ◽  
Thermal Exposure ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Dew Point ◽  
Sweat Glands ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Humidity Index

Poultry are one of the most vulnerable species of its kind once the temperature-humidity nexus is explored. This is so because the broilers lack sweat glands as compared to humans and undergo panting process to mitigate their latent heat (moisture produced in the body) in the air. As a result, moisture production inside poultry house needs to be maintained to avoid any serious health and welfare complications. Several strategies such as compressor-based air-conditioning systems have been implemented worldwide to attenuate the heat stress in poultry, but these are not economical. Therefore, this study focuses on the development of low-cost and environmentally friendly improved evaporative cooling systems (DEC, IEC, MEC) from the viewpoint of heat stress in poultry houses. Thermodynamic analysis of these systems was carried out for the climatic conditions of Multan, Pakistan. The results appreciably controlled the environmental conditions which showed that for the months of April, May, and June, the decrease in temperature by direct evaporative cooling (DEC), indirect evaporative cooling (IEC), and Maisotsenko-Cycle evaporative cooling (MEC) systems is 7–10 °C, 5–6.5 °C, and 9.5–12 °C, respectively. In case of July, August, and September, the decrease in temperature by DEC, IEC, and MEC systems is 5.5–7 °C, 3.5–4.5 °C, and 7–7.5 °C, respectively. In addition, drop in temperature-humidity index (THI) values by DEC, IEC, and MEC is 3.5–9 °C, 3–7 °C, and 5.5–10 °C, respectively for all months. Optimum temperature and relative humidity conditions are determined for poultry birds and thereby, systems’ performance is thermodynamically evaluated for poultry farms from the viewpoint of THI, temperature-humidity-velocity index (THVI), and thermal exposure time (ET). From the analysis, it is concluded that MEC system performed relatively better than others due to its ability of dew-point cooling and achieved THI threshold limit with reasonable temperature and humidity indexes.

scholarly journals Heat Stress and Goat Welfare: Adaptation and Production Considerations

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021
Author(s):  
Veerasamy Sejian ◽  
Mullakkalparambil V. Silpa ◽  
Mini R. Reshma Nair ◽  
Chinnasamy Devaraj ◽  
Govindan Krishnan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Tropical Climates

This review attempted to collate and synthesize information on goat welfare and production constraints during heat stress exposure. Among the farm animals, goats arguably are considered the best-suited animals to survive in tropical climates. Heat stress was found to negatively influence growth, milk and meat production and compromised the immune response, thereby significantly reducing goats’ welfare under extensive conditions and transportation. Although considered extremely adapted to tropical climates, their production can be compromised to cope with heat stress. Therefore, information on goat adaptation and production performance during heat exposure could help assess their welfare. Such information would be valuable as the farming communities are often struggling in their efforts to assess animal welfare, especially in tropical regions. Broadly three aspects must be considered to ensure appropriate welfare in goats, and these include (i) housing and environment; (ii) breeding and genetics and (iii) handling and transport. Apart from these, there are a few other negative welfare factors in goat rearing, which differ across the production system being followed. Such negative practices are predominant in extensive systems and include nutritional stress, limited supply of good quality water, climatic extremes, parasitic infestation and lameness, culminating in low production, reproduction and high mortality rates. Broadly two types of methodologies are available to assess welfare in goats in these systems: (i) animal-based measures include behavioral measurements, health and production records and disease symptoms; (ii) resources based and management-based measures include stocking density, manpower, housing conditions and health plans. Goat welfare could be assessed based on several indicators covering behavioral, physical, physiological and productive responses. The important indicators of goat welfare include agonistic behavior, vocalization, skin temperature, body condition score (BCS), hair coat conditions, rectal temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, sweating, reduced growth, reduced milk production and reduced reproductive efficiency. There are also different approaches available by which the welfare of goats could be assessed, such as naturalistic, functional and subjective approaches. Thus, assessing welfare in goats at every production stage is a prerequisite for ensuring appropriate production in this all-important species to guarantee optimum returns to the marginal and subsistence farmers.

scholarly journals Effects of Sprinkler Flow Rate on Physiological, Behavioral and Production Responses of Nili Ravi Buffaloes during Subtropical Summer

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 339
Author(s):  
Musa Bah ◽  
Muhammad Afzal Rashid ◽  
Khalid Javed ◽  
Talat Naseer Pasha ◽  
Muhammad Qamer Shahid
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Group Water ◽  
Humidity Index ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

Water buffaloes wallow in water to combat heat stress during summer. With the decreasing reservoirs for wallowing, the farmers use sprinklers to cool the buffaloes in Pakistan. These sprinklers use a large quantity of groundwater, which is becoming scarce. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of different sprinkler flow rates on the physiological, behavioral, and production responses of Nili Ravi buffaloes during summer. Eighteen buffaloes were randomly subjected to three sprinkler flow rate treatments in a double replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. The flow rates were 0.8, 1.25, and 2.0 L/min. During the study, the average afternoon temperature humidity index was 84.6. The 1.25 and 2.0 L/min groups had significantly lower rectal temperature and respiratory rates than the 0.8 L/min group. Water intake was significantly higher in the 0.8 L/min group. Daily milk yield was higher in the 1.25 and 2.0 L/min groups than in the 0.8 L/min group. These results suggested that the sprinkler flow rates > 0.8 L/min effectively cooled the buffaloes. The sprinkler flow rate of 1.25 L/min appeared to be more efficient, as it used 37.5% less water compared to the 2.0 L/min.

scholarly journals Physiological, Biochemical, and Growth Parameters of Fogera Cattle Calves to Heat Stress during Different Seasons in Sub-Humid Part of Ethiopia

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1062
Author(s):  
Michael Abera ◽  
Yesihak Yusuf Mummed ◽  
Mitiku Eshetu ◽  
Fabio Pilla ◽  
Zewdu Wondifraw
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Average Temperature ◽  
High Weight Gain ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Current Production ◽  
Humidity Index ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Number Of Males

Fogera cattle are among indigenous breeds of cattle in the northern part of Ethiopia. However, their response to heat stress (HS) under different seasonal variations has not been well investigated. This study was aimed to determine physiological, hematological, biochemical, and growth parameters of Fogera cattle calves to HS during dry season, short rainy, and long rainy. A total of 72 calves (24 for each season) that were 6 months of age with an equal number of males and females were evaluated for physiological, hematological, biochemical, and growth parameters. Daily ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded two times per day during the study periods from which the daily average temperature–humidity index (THI) was calculated. The study revealed higher AT and THI during dry and short seasons while higher RH was observed during the long rainy season. Physiological parameters except rectal temperature were affected by the seasons. Hematological parameters were also affected by season except for packed cell volume. Biochemical and growth parameters were also significantly affected by the seasons. THI was positively related with physiological but negatively with growth parameters. Thus, the THI value of 66 can be considered as optimum for high weight gain and normal physiological response to HS in Fogera cattle calves under their current production system.

Comparative Efficacy of Physiological Responses and Skin Temperatures in Indigenous and Crossbred Cattle Supplemented with Chlorophytum borivilianum in Summer Season

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooja Devi ◽  
Mahendra Singh ◽  
Yallappa M. Somagond ◽  
A.K. Roy
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Crossbred Cattle ◽  
Comparative Efficacy ◽  
Production Potential ◽  
Chlorophytum Borivilianum ◽  
Humidity Index ◽  
Skin Temperatures

Background: Heat stress causes oxidative stress and declines milk production potential of cows. The physiological responses and skin temperature of heat stressed animals are good indices for deterring the heat stress. The efficacy of medicinal herb Chlorophytum borivilianum (CB) was tested in lowering the rise in values of physiological responses and skin temperature in crossbred vis a vis Indigenous cows. Methods: Eighteen Tharparkar (TP) and Crossbred KF cows in mid-lactation were given; No supplement (control), a low (T1, n=6) and a high dose (T2, n=6) of CB @ 40 and 80 mg/kg BW/day, respectively for 90 days during hot-humid season. Respiration rate (RR), pulse rate (PR), rectal temperature (RT) and skin temperature (ST) was recorded at the site of forehead, neck, rear body, and udder surface in the morning and afternoon at weekly intervals. Temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated to assess the degree of thermal stress in animals. Result: Physiological responses and skin temperatures were higher (p less than 0.01) in the afternoon than morning intervals in TP and KF cows. CB feeding significantly lowered physiological responses and ST (p less than 0.01) in high dose as compared to low dose. It was concluded that CB feeding @ 80 mg/kg BW/day effectively alleviates the heat stress. Indigenous cows were found more heat tolerant in comparison to crossbred cows.

A comment on scaling methane emissions from vegetation and grazing ruminants in New Zealand

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis M. Kelliher ◽  
Harry Clark ◽  
Zheng Li ◽  
Paul C. D. Newton ◽  
Anthony J. Parsons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Emission Rate ◽  
Oxidative Capacity ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Ch4 Emission ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Indigenous Forest

Keppler et al. (2006, Nature 439, 187–191) showed that plants produce methane (CH4) in aerobic environments, leading Lowe (2006, Nature 439, 148–149) to postulate that in countries such as New Zealand, where grazed pastures have replaced forests, the forests could have produced as much CH4 as the ruminants currently grazing these areas. Estimating CH4 emissions from up to 85 million ruminants in New Zealand is challenging and, for completeness, the capacity of forest and pastoral soils to oxidise CH4 should be included. On average, the CH4 emission rate of grazing ruminants is estimated to be 9.6 ± 2.6 g m–2 year–1 (±standard deviation), six times the corresponding estimate for an indigenous forest canopy (1.6 ± 1.1 g m–2 year–1). The forest’s soil is estimated to oxidise 0.9 ± 0.2 g m–2 year–1 more CH4 than representative soils beneath grazed pasture. Taking into account plant and animal sources and the soil’s oxidative capacity, the net CH4 emission rates of forest and grazed ecosystems are 0.6 ± 1.1 and 9.8 ± 2.6 g m–2 year–1, respectively.

scholarly journals Climate Change and Goat Production: Enteric Methane Emission and Its Mitigation

Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratap Pragna ◽  
Surinder S. Chauhan ◽  
Veerasamy Sejian ◽  
Brian J. Leury ◽  
Frank R. Dunshea
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Climate Scenario ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Ch4 Emission ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Ch4 Production ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
The Impact

The ability of an animal to cope and adapt itself to the changing climate virtually depends on the function of rumen and rumen inhabitants such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, virus and archaea. Elevated ambient temperature during the summer months can have a significant influence on the basic physiology of the rumen, thereby affecting the nutritional status of the animals. Rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) production decreases under conditions of extreme heat. Growing recent evidence suggests there are genetic variations among breeds of goats in the impact of heat stress on rumen fermentation pattern and VFA production. Most of the effects of heat stress on rumen fermentation and enteric methane (CH4) emission are attributed to differences in the rumen microbial population. Heat stress-induced rumen function impairment is mainly associated with an increase in Streptococcus genus bacteria and with a decrease in the bacteria of Fibrobactor genus. Apart from its major role in global warming and greenhouse effect, enteric CH4 is also considered as a dietary energy loss in goats. These effects warrant mitigating against CH4 production to ensure optimum economic return from goat farming as well as to reduce the impact on global warming as CH4 is one of the more potent greenhouse gases (GHG). The various strategies that can be implemented to mitigate enteric CH4 emission include nutritional interventions, different management strategies and applying advanced biotechnological tools to find solution to reduce CH4 production. Through these advanced technologies, it is possible to identify genetically superior animals with less CH4 production per unit feed intake. These efforts can help the farming community to sustain goat production in the changing climate scenario.

scholarly journals Soil moisture control over autumn season methane flux, Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1423-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Sturtevant ◽  
W. C. Oechel ◽  
D. Zona ◽  
Y. Kim ◽  
C. E. Emerson
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Methane Flux ◽  
Soil Freezing ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Freezing Process ◽  
Unfrozen Water ◽  
Ch4 Emission ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Autumn Season

Abstract. Accurate estimates of annual budgets of methane (CH4) efflux in arctic regions are severely constrained by the paucity of non-summer measurements. Moreover, the incomplete understanding of the ecosystem-level sensitivity of CH4 emissions to changes in tundra moisture makes prediction of future CH4 release from the Arctic extremely difficult. This study addresses some of these research gaps by presenting an analysis of eddy covariance and chamber measurements of CH4 efflux and supporting environmental variables during the autumn season and associated beginning of soil freeze-up at our large-scale water manipulation site near Barrow, Alaska (the Biocomplexity Experiment). We found that the autumn season CH4 emission is significant (accounting for 21–25% of the average growing season emission), and that this emission is mostly controlled by the fraction of inundated landscape, atmospheric turbulence, and the decline in unfrozen water during the period of soil freezing. Drainage decreased autumn CH4 emission by a factor of 2.4 compared to our flooded treatment. Flooding slowed the soil freezing process which has implications for extending elevated CH4 emissions longer into the winter season.

scholarly journals Dietary Germinated Paddy Rice and Stocking Density Affect Egg Performance, Serum Biochemical Properties, and Proteomic and Transcriptomic Response of Laying Hens Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

Proteomes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Tossaporn Incharoen ◽  
Sittiruk Roytrakul ◽  
Wirot Likittrakulwong
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Protein Profile ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Paddy Rice ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Transcriptomic Response

Germinated paddy rice (GPR) could be a good alternative feed source for poultry with stocking density and heat stress problems. A total of 72 Hy-line Brown laying hens raised under low (LSD, 0.12 m2/bird) and high stocking densities (HSD, 0.06 m2/bird) were investigated. Three dietary GPR levels (0, 74 and 148 g/kg) were used. It was found that average daily feed intake, hen-day egg production, and egg mass significantly decreased in the HSD group. The levels of serum glucose (GLU), phosphorous (P), corticosterone (CORT), total Ig, lysozyme (LZY), and superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) in the HSD group were higher than those in the LSD group. Dietary GPR significantly affected GLU, P, alternative complement haemolytic 50 (ACH50), total Ig, and LZY. Moreover, CORT level significantly decreased in 74 and 148 g/kg dietary GPR groups, whereas SOD significantly increased only in the 148 g/kg dietary GPR group. Serum samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and 8607 proteins were identified. Proteome analysis revealed 19 proteins which were enriched in different stocking densities and dietary GPR levels. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR technique was successfully used to verify the differentiated abundant protein profile changes. The proteins identified in this study could serve as appropriate biomarkers.

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