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

甲烷(CH4)和二氧化碳(CO2)是反刍动物发酵的天然副产品，CH4的全球变暖潜力是CO2的28倍。因此，减少肉牛等放牧反刍动物CH4排放的缓解策略是关键，补充新产品可能会解决这一问题，为牛肉行业利益攸关方提供必要的信息。生物炭是一种工程活性碳，当添加到日粮中时，它在减少反刍动物的甲烷排放方面表现出了希望，并增加了瘤胃中的生物膜表面积。这种生物膜为微生物群提高消化效率和减少温室气体(CH4、CO2)的产生提供了有利条件。以前的研究报告称，在饲料中添加生物炭可以提高DM的消化率，同时降低肠道CH4的产量，增强微生物蛋白质合成，改善动物健康。这些努力表明，在饲料中添加生物炭或直接饲喂有助于提高牛的生产性能和健康。在拟议的研究中，将建立一个长期受控研究地点网络，将两个农业气候区域(不同土壤、气候和植被类型)的不同研究机构和研究人员连接起来。通过量化牧场放牧系统中的生物炭剂量，人们对其对甲烷排放、饲料摄入量、奶牛生产性能和健康、粪便养分循环、瘤胃发酵和牧场(放牧)成本的影响产生了新的认识。结果将确定增强牛肉行业可持续性的机会。包括牧场系统中的生物炭在内，新的放牧战略将通过提高绩效、减少排放造成的能源损失以及更小的环境足迹来提高工业的经济可行性。这个项目对牛肉工业的重要性可以从以下事实中得到证明：它得到了包括萨斯喀彻温省牛人协会和肉牛研究理事会在内的行业的资金支持。对于牛肉生产商来说，这是非常及时的信息，可以更好地理解并做出有效的、经过充分研究的反应。

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.