Abstract

This paper examines the significance of ruminant methane emissions for the NZ dairy industry at a time when NZ is about to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. We consider factors for practical methane mitigation, and a broad based research strategy for the development of measures to reduce methane emissions. A key factor in the process is the integration of methane mitigation research into existing research programs. We were able to incorporate methane measurements into a trial evaluating the performance of two dairy cow genotypes fed contrasting diets. Overseas genotypes produced 8-11% less methane, as a percentage of gross energy (GE) intake, compared to New Zealand genotypes and total mixed rations (TMR) resulted in similar energy losses to methane (% of GE) as pasture.

LJ, Robertson, and GC Waghorn

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 62, Palmerston North, 213-218, 2002