Enhancing Livestock Efficiency and Reducing Methane Emissions with Logan Thompson

The content in this blog is derived from my interview with Logan Thompson- Assistant Professor at Kansas State University.

For decades, researchers have been dedicated to minimizing carbon loss in livestock to improve production efficiency. A significant focus has been on reducing methane emissions, which not only benefits the environment but also enhances the efficiency of animal production.

Best Management Practices

Implementing best management practices is essential in this effort. From the cow’s diet to the overall management of commercial feedlots, every step taken to improve efficiency can lead to lower methane emissions. This comprehensive approach ensures that the livestock industry can contribute positively to the environment while maintaining or even increasing productivity.

Key Management Decisions

Several management decisions can significantly impact methane emissions:

1. Proper Supplementation: Providing adequate protein and energy supplements when forage quality is low can improve fermentation efficiency and reduce emissions. These best practices are well-documented in extension bulletins and beef magazines.

2. Dietary Adjustments: As animals move through the supply chain, the type of diet they receive in backgrounding or feedlot operations plays a crucial role. Including ionophores in the diet has been proven to enhance efficiency and reduce methane emissions. Similarly, the use of implants and other available technologies can contribute to these reductions.

By focusing on these management strategies, producers can intuitively make decisions that not only benefit their operations but also contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly livestock industry.

Understanding GWP and GWP*: A Closer Look at Measuring Greenhouse Gas Impact

When discussing greenhouse gasses and their impact on climate change, two important metrics often come up: Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Global Warming Potential star (GWP*). Understanding the differences between these metrics is crucial for accurately assessing and managing greenhouse gas emissions.

What is GWP?

Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a metric used to compare the impact of different greenhouse gasses on global warming. It is typically calculated over a 100-year time horizon, as this is a manageable timeframe for most people to consider. GWP relates all greenhouse gasses back to a CO2 equivalent basis, allowing for a standardized comparison across various industries.

However, GWP has its limitations. It is essentially an energy calculation in the atmosphere and does not directly measure warming potential. This can lead to inaccuracies, especially when dealing with short-lived greenhouse gases like methane. Methane only remains in the atmosphere for about 9 to 12 years before breaking down into carbon dioxide. Despite reductions in methane emissions, the GWP100 metric may still show an increase, which does not accurately reflect the true impact on warming.

Introducing GWP*

To address these limitations, a metric called Global Warming Potential star (GWP*) was developed. GWP* is a flow-based metric that considers both the inflow and outflow of greenhouse gasses, similar to how water flows into and out of a bathtub. This approach provides a more accurate calculation of climate warming, especially for short-lived greenhouse gasses like methane.

GWP* has been shown to more accurately reflect the actual warming impact of greenhouse gasses when tested against climate models. For the livestock industry, this means a more precise understanding of how methane emissions contribute to climate change. Using GWP*, we can better determine the amount of methane that needs to be mitigated to achieve climate goals. This often results in more achievable targets, such as a 1.6% annual reduction in enteric methane emissions, which will get us to be a climate neutralizing industry within the next 16 years.  

Listen to the full interview here: https://youtu.be/bhF1LrA2W2E