Performance, environmental, and economic benefits of biochar supplementation in beef cattle grazing systems

肉牛放牧系统中补充生物炭的性能、环境和经济效益

• 批准号: 551384-2020
• 负责人: Lardner, Herbert
• 金额: $ 4.39万
• 依托单位: University of Saskatchewan
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=702927
• 关键词: Performance; environmental; economic; benefits; biochar

Methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are natural byproducts of ruminant fermentation, and CH4 has a global warming potential 28 times that of CO2. Therefore, mitigation strategies to reduce CH4 emissions in grazing ruminants, such as beef cattle are key, and supplementation of novel products may address this issue, providing necessary information to beef industry stakeholders. Biochar is a form of engineered activated charcoal, which shows promise in reducing methane emissions from ruminants when incorporated in the diet, and increases the biofilm surface area in the rumen. This biofilm provides favorable conditions for the microflora to increase digestive efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (CH4, CO2) production. Previous studies reported addition of biochar to a forage diet increased DM digestibility while lowering enteric CH4 production, enhancing microbial protein synthesis and improving animal health. These efforts suggest inclusion of biochar in forage diets or directly fed to cattle aids performance and health. In the proposed study, a network of long-term controlled study sites will be established linking different research agencies and investigators across two agro-climatic regions (different soils, climate and vegetation types). By quantifying biochar dose in pasture grazing systems, new knowledge is generated on its effect on methane emissions, forage intake, cow performance and health, fecal nutrient cycling, rumen fermentation and pasture (grazing) costs. RESULTS WILL IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY. INCLUDING BIOCHAR IN PASTURE SYSTEMS, NEW GRAZING STRATEGIES WOULD INCREASE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF INDUSTRY FROM INCREASED PERFORMANCE, REDUCED ENERGY LOSS VIA EMISSIONS, AND A SMALLER ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT. The importance of this project to the beef industry is evidenced by the fact that it has received financial support from industry including Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association and Beef Cattle Research Council. This is extremely timely information for beef producers, to better understand and allow for valid and well researched responses.

甲烷（CH4）和二氧化碳（CO2）是反刍动物发酵的天然副产物，CH4的全球变暖潜力是CO2的28倍。因此，减少放牧反刍动物（如肉牛）甲烷排放的缓解战略是关键，补充新产品可以解决这个问题，为牛肉行业利益攸关方提供必要的信息。生物炭是工程活性炭的一种形式，当掺入到饲料中时，其显示出减少反刍动物甲烷排放的前景，并增加瘤胃中的生物膜表面积。这种生物膜为微生物区系提供了有利条件，以提高消化效率并减少温室气体（CH4，CO2）的产生。 以前的研究报告，添加生物炭饲料增加DM消化率，同时降低肠道CH4的生产，提高微生物蛋白质的合成和改善动物健康。这些努力表明，在饲料中加入生物炭或直接喂牛有助于提高性能和健康。在拟议的研究中，将建立一个长期控制研究地点网络，将两个农业气候区域（不同的土壤、气候和植被类型）的不同研究机构和调查人员联系起来。通过量化牧场放牧系统中的生物炭剂量，产生了关于其对甲烷排放，饲料摄入量，奶牛生产性能和健康，粪便营养循环，瘤胃发酵和牧场（放牧）成本的影响的新知识。结果将确定加强牛肉行业可持续性的机会。新的放牧战略将通过提高绩效、减少排放造成的能源损失和更小的环境足迹来提高产业的经济可行性。这个项目对肉牛业的重要性得到了萨斯喀彻温省养牛协会和肉牛研究理事会等行业的财政支持。这对牛肉生产商来说是非常及时的信息，可以更好地理解和做出有效和经过充分研究的反应。