Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Saskatchewan
$65,876.00
Performance, environmental, and economic benefits of biochar supplementation in beef cattle grazing systems
FY 2022-23
Summary
Methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are natural byproducts of ruminant fermentation, and CH4 has a global warming potential 28 times that of CO2. Therefore, mitigation strategies to reduce CH4 emissions in grazing ruminants, such as beef cattle are key, and supplementation of novel products may address this issue, providing necessary information to beef industry stakeholders. Biochar is a form of engineered activated charcoal, which shows promise in reducing methane emissions from ruminants when incorporated in the diet, and increases the biofilm surface area in the rumen. This biofilm provides favorable conditions for the microflora to increase digestive efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (CH4, CO2) production. Previous studies reported addition of biochar to a forage diet increased DM digestibility while lowering enteric CH4 production, enhancing microbial protein synthesis and improving animal health. These efforts suggest inclusion of biochar in forage diets or directly fed to cattle aids performance and health. In the proposed study, a network of long-term controlled study sites will be established linking different research agencies and investigators across two agro-climatic regions (different soils, climate and vegetation types). By quantifying biochar dose in pasture grazing systems, new knowledge is generated on its effect on methane emissions, forage intake, cow performance and health, fecal nutrient cycling, rumen fermentation and pasture (grazing) costs. RESULTS WILL IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY. INCLUDING BIOCHAR IN PASTURE SYSTEMS, NEW GRAZING STRATEGIES WOULD INCREASE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF INDUSTRY FROM INCREASED PERFORMANCE, REDUCED ENERGY LOSS VIA EMISSIONS, AND A SMALLER ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT. The importance of this project to the beef industry is evidenced by the fact that it has received financial support from industry including Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association and Beef Cattle Research Council. This is extremely timely information for beef producers, to better understand and allow for valid and well researched responses.
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
551384-2020
Name nom
Lardner, Herbert HA
Department département
Animal and Poultry Science
Organization id
16
Institution établissement
University of Saskatchewan
Province en
Saskatchewan
Province fr
Saskatchewan
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2022
Competition year année de concours
2020
Award amount
65876
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
101
Area of application group en
Agriculture and primary food production
Area of application group fr
Agriculture et produits alimentaires primaires
Area of application en
Animal production and animal primary products
Area of application fr
Production animale et produits animaux primaires
Research subject code
5511
Research subject group en
Animal biology
Research subject group fr
Biologie animale
Research subject en
Animal nutrition and husbandry
Research subject fr
Nutrition et élevage des animaux
Installment
inst:3
Partie
1
Nb partie
3
Application title
Performance, environmental, and economic benefits of biochar supplementation in beef cattle grazing systems
Application summary
Methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are natural byproducts of ruminant fermentation, and CH4 has a global warming potential 28 times that of CO2. Therefore, mitigation strategies to reduce CH4 emissions in grazing ruminants, such as beef cattle are key, and supplementation of novel products may address this issue, providing necessary information to beef industry stakeholders. Biochar is a form of engineered activated charcoal, which shows promise in reducing methane emissions from ruminants when incorporated in the diet, and increases the biofilm surface area in the rumen. This biofilm provides favorable conditions for the microflora to increase digestive efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (CH4, CO2) production. Previous studies reported addition of biochar to a forage diet increased DM digestibility while lowering enteric CH4 production, enhancing microbial protein synthesis and improving animal health. These efforts suggest inclusion of biochar in forage diets or directly fed to cattle aids performance and health. In the proposed study, a network of long-term controlled study sites will be established linking different research agencies and investigators across two agro-climatic regions (different soils, climate and vegetation types). By quantifying biochar dose in pasture grazing systems, new knowledge is generated on its effect on methane emissions, forage intake, cow performance and health, fecal nutrient cycling, rumen fermentation and pasture (grazing) costs. RESULTS WILL IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY. INCLUDING BIOCHAR IN PASTURE SYSTEMS, NEW GRAZING STRATEGIES WOULD INCREASE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF INDUSTRY FROM INCREASED PERFORMANCE, REDUCED ENERGY LOSS VIA EMISSIONS, AND A SMALLER ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT. The importance of this project to the beef industry is evidenced by the fact that it has received financial support from industry including Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association and Beef Cattle Research Council. This is extremely timely information for beef producers, to better understand and allow for valid and well researched responses.
