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Project title

Technical guidelines to develop feed additives to reduce enteric methane

Primary Funding Agency

DAFM

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Lead Organisation

Teagasc

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

There is increasing interest and need in cutting methane emissions worldwide, enteric methane being one of the main targets. The modulation of rumen fermentation through feeding practices represent the main strategy to reduce methane emissions from ruminants and in particular, the use of additives has shown great potential. However, despite extensive research conducted over the last decades, the number of additives that deliver substantial reduction is very limited and have not reached the market yet. A very recent assessment coordinated by the GRA and other international initiatives (Hegarty et al., 2021) has shown that the global livestock industries have a very limited suite of emerging feed additives suitable for enteric methane suppression and many constraints have been identified: a poor understating of the efficacy, lack of knowledge on the modes of action, uncertainty about persistency of effects and insufficient research in practical applicability in different grazing systems. This was further emphasised in a recent publication arising from the 2022 FAO LEAP Technical Advisory Group on methane emissions which concluded that '�more research is needed to develop, adapt, and evaluate anti-methanogenic strategies for grazing systems� (Beauchemin et al., 2022). This GRA studentship aims to address some of these issues particularly the development of methane mitigation strategies for pasture based production systems. The studentship also builds on our current successful DAFM funded project 'Meth-Abate'.

Grant Approved

�199,350.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

3. Climate Solutions, Transition Management and Opportunities

Start Date

01/09/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/08/2027