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Project title

n/a

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin (UCD)

Lead Applicant

Karina Pierce

Project Abstract

Respiration chambers: Equipment required to construct 4 open circuit respiration chambers:Animal restraint head gates x 4 (to immobilise animals whilst housed in the respiration chambers;Steel required to construct the framework to support the Perspex panelling: Access doors x 4; Panelling: approximately 240 m2 Perspex panelling required to enable animals to see one another during containment in the respiration chambers. This minimises the distress on individual animals during acclimatisation to the respiration chambers as they can see companion animals in close proximity Total cost = Euro20000+ VAT@21% = Euro24200The animal will be locked into a completely air tight chamber, with all air entering and leaving measured for gaseous composition. Air is passed through a chamber containing an animal, gas flows and the difference in gas concentrations between inlet and outlet are measured, and the uptake of oxygen and the output of carbon dioxide (CO2) methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are calculated. The materials listed above are essential to construct these 4 environmentally controlled rooms (respiration chambers). The cost of construction has been kept to a minimum due to the fact that some of the facilities pre-exist at the Lyons Estate Research Farm.MGA3000 Multigas Analysers: The MGA3000 as a platform supports up to 4 gas measurements from a gas stream. Different technologies are used for different gases dependent upon the level of sensitivity required. In general CO2, CH4 and N2O would be measured by infrared technology. NH3 however, normally exists at lower concentrations and needs to be measured using more sensitive chemical cells for detection. Total cost: Euro10,700 euros for a standard 4 gas unit + Euro4300 for technology to measure ammonia = Euro15000x4 = Euro60000 +VAT @17.5% = Euro70500A multigas analyser is required for each respiration chamber. The analyser will sample gas entering and exiting the respiration chamber and facilitate the measurement of four gases simultaneously. Feeding facilities for respiration chambers: Four individual feeders for real time measurement of animal intake for the respiration chambers to facilitate detailed feed intake data to be collected. This feed intake recording system will allow for total feed intake measurement over a defined period (i.e. 24 hours) to be measured. In addition feeding behaviour over the day can be monitored including time and duration of meals.Total cost: 12,000+VAT@21% = Euro14520. This cost includes 1 x IT8000 Indicator Weighing Terminal4 x H305 Platform Scales1 x Software Mods1 x InstallationEnteric methane emissions result from the fermentation of carbohydrates in the rumeno-reticulum of ruminant animals. Methane is a natural by-product of rumen function but it can be augmented by feeding management and dietary manipulation. The use of high fibre diets, such as those that persist in Irelands forage based production systems are highly methanogenic, but also allow great scope for the reduction of enteric methane production in line with Ireland?s responsibility under the Kyoto protocol. In investigating methane mitigation strategies it is essential to gain an understanding, not only of changes taking place within the rumen of the animal but also animal intake behaviour. Meal frequency has been shown to demonstrate potential in reducing enteric methane emissions and any strategies that are applied need to be investigated for their impact on feed intake in parallel with measuring greenhouse gas production. Ration formulation is the initial control point for NH3 emissions and precise dietary formulation offers an opportunity to decrease both daily nitrogen (N) intake and excretion without impairing production of meat or milk. In dairy cows, although there are a limited number of studies that have examined this concept (Mulligan et al., 2004), there is sparse literature regarding precision ration formulation with regard to NH3 and N2O emissions. Accurate information on feed intake and feed intake behaviour is paramount to research with regards to reducing TBG while aiming to maintain animal performance.While dietary manipulation has the potential to significantly reduce ruminal methane emissions, there is also some evidence to suggest that energetically efficient animals may lead to inherent improvements in ruminal fermentation processes and consequently reductions in methane production. Additionally the selection of more energetically efficient animals will lead to a reduction in maintenance energy requirements, of particular relevance with suckler and dairy cows, and ultimately a reduction in production costs. The respiration chambers are an essential tool in furthering our research in these areas at it allows parallel measurement of methane emission, feed intake, feeding behaviour and oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production which are important proxies for energetic efficiency.

Grant Approved

€86,920.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sinks, and Management Systems

Start Date

12/02/2008

Initial Projected Completion Date

12/11/2008