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, HerbertHA
• 金额: $ 4.8万
• 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: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=743509
• 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甲烷排放的缓解策略是关键，而补充新产品可能会解决这一问题，为牛肉行业利益相关者提供必要的信息。生物炭是一种工程活性炭，将其添加到饮食中可以减少反刍动物的甲烷排放，并增加瘤胃中的生物膜表面积。这种生物膜为微生物群落提高消化效率和减少温室气体（CH4、CO2）的产生提供了有利的条件。先前的研究报告称，在饲料中添加生物炭可提高干物质的消化率，同时降低肠道 CH4 的产生，增强微生物蛋白质的合成并改善动物健康。这些努力表明，在饲料中加入生物炭或直接饲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、奶牛生产性能和健康、粪便养分循环、瘤胃发酵和牧场（放牧）成本的影响的新知识。结果将确定增强牛肉行业可持续性的机会。包括在牧场系统中使用生物炭，新的放牧策略将通过提高性能、减少排放造成的能源损失以及减少环境足迹来提高工业的经济活力。该项目对牛肉行业的重要性体现在它得到了萨斯喀彻温省养牛者协会和肉牛研究委员会等行业的财政支持。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且经过充分研究的反应。