Improving the accuracy of beef cattle methane inventories in Latin America and Caribbean countries.

On-farm methane (CH) emissions need to be estimated accurately so that the mitigation effect of recommended practices can be accounted for. In the present study prediction equations for enteric CH have been developed in lieu of expensive animal measurement approaches. Our objectives were to: (1) compile a dataset from individual beef cattle data for the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region; (2) determine main predictors of CH emission variables; (3) develop and cross-validate prediction models according to dietary forage content (DFC); and (4) compare the predictive ability of these newly-developed models with extant equations reported in literature, including those currently used for CH inventories in LAC countries.

Prediction of enteric methane production and yield in dairy cattle using a Latin America and Caribbean database.

Successful mitigation efforts entail accurate estimation of on-farm emission and prediction models can be an alternative to current laborious and costly in vivo CH measurement techniques. This study aimed to: (1) collate a database of individual dairy cattle CH emission data from studies conducted in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region; (2) identify key variables for predicting CH production (g d) and yield [g kg of dry matter intake (DMI)]; (3) develop and cross-validate these newly-developed models; and (4) compare models' predictive ability with equations currently used to support national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories. A total of 42 studies including 1327 individual dairy cattle records were collated.

Addressing Global Ruminant Agricultural Challenges Through Understanding the Rumen Microbiome: Past, Present, and Future.

The rumen is a complex ecosystem composed of anaerobic bacteria, protozoa, fungi, methanogenic archaea and phages. These microbes interact closely to breakdown plant material that cannot be digested by humans, whilst providing metabolic energy to the host and, in the case of archaea, producing methane. Consequently, ruminants produce meat and milk, which are rich in high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals, and therefore contribute to food security.