Effect of intensification of pastoral farming on greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand


New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 57, Issue 5, pp 252-261, Oct 2009
Article class: Review Article
Subject Terms: Animal industries, Animal production/wastage, Diet/rations/food, Environment, Farm/farm management, Finance/economics, Management, Metabolic disease, Nutrition/metabolism, Pasture/crop, Poisoning - chemical, Poisoning - plant, Soil/sand
Animal Type: Cattle, Deer, General, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Publisher: Taylor and FrancisAbstract
2007, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in New Zealand were 16% higher than in 1990. Agriculture accounts for 48% of GHG emissions in New Zealand, and 10–12% of emissions in most other ‘developed’ countries.Methane (CH4) accounts for 35% of GHG emissions in New Zealand, mostly from ruminal fermentation. Nitrous oxide (N2O) accounts for 17% of GHG emissions in New Zealand, mostly from urinary N, exacerbated by excessive application of nitrogenous fertiliser. GHG are often expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-e), and 1 kg CH4 has a similar global-warming potential as 21 kg CO2, whilst 1 kg N2O has the same warming potential as 310 kg CO2. Methane is derived from H2 produced during ruminal fermentation, and losses account for 6–7% of gross energy in feeds. This is about 9–10% of metabolisable energy intake. Methane production tends to be lower when legumes, rather than grasses, are fed, and emissions are greater (per kg dry matter intake; DMI) when mature grasses and silages are fed. There are small differences between individual animals in their CH4 production (g/kg DMI) but there are few profitable options available for reducing CH4 production in ruminants. Emissions of N2O can be reduced by more strategic application of nitrogenous fertiliser, avoidance of waterlogged areas, and use of dicyandiamide in some cooler regions. GHG mitigation should be based on life-cycle analyses to ensure a reduction in one GHG does not increase another. Current and future strategies are unlikely to reduce GHG emissions by >20%. Food production is central to human survival, and should not be compromised to mitigate GHG emissions. Efforts should be directed toward increasing animal efficiency and reducing GHG emissions/unit edible food.
KEY WORDS: Greenhouse gas emissions, dairy farming, methane, nitrous oxide, mitigation, abatement, farm management, ruminants
The whole of the literary matter of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal is copyright Taylor and Francis, Downloading this article signifies agreement with the terms and conditions of electronic access.