Trends in greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cattle in Mexico between 1970 and 2010
Published:July 13, 2017
By:J. A. Rendón-Huerta 1; J. M. Pinos-Rodríguez 2; J. C. García-López 2; L. G. Yáñez-Estrada 3 and E. Kebreab 4.
/ 1 Programa Multidisciplinario de Posgrado en Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP), San Luis Potosí, Mexico; 2 Instituto de Investigación de Zonas Desérticas, UASLP, San Luis Potosí, Mexico; 3 Departamento de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, UASLP, San Luis Potosí, Mexico; 4 Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis CA, USA.
Summary
Abstract. The objective of the present work was to estimate and assess trends in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), from dairy cows in Mexico from the base year of 1970 to 2010. Empirical and mechanistic models were used to estimate enteric methane emissions based on chemical composition of diets. Methane from manure was calculated using Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) and US Environmental Protection Agency recommended equations. N2O emission was calculated according to IPCC recommendations. Compared with the 1970s, current management practices using modern dairy cows increased feed conversion efficiency 32% and milk yield 62%. GHG emission intensity (i.e. emissions per unit of product) was reduced 30%, 25% and 30% for CH4, N2O and total emissions, respectively. The study showed that although GHG emissions in absolute terms increased in the past 40 years, emission intensity decreased due to a higher level of production. This trend is likely to continue in the future, assuming milk production follows the same increasing trend as in other countries in North America.
Hi Alfredo,
Thanks for the invitation but sorry I will not be attending the conference. Wish you well in your delivery of the paper. I may request you send me a copy after the presentation.
My only comment would be, for nutritionists and farmers to reconsider production of high fat milk at the expense of cow health and fertility. It is all about energy balancing in support of cow productivity.
Dear colleagues,
Thanks for the interesting update.
I will be giving a presentation on Sustainable Nutrition for Milk and Meat in Colombia, next 12nd of September in the "Foro Internacional Ganadero": http://www.expoagrofuturo.com/es/actividades/academico/foro-internacional-ganadero.
I will discuss methane emissions from cattle and the role of fatty acids as abatement tool /strategy.
In case you attend, please let me know, I will be happy to see you there and discuss.
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