United States Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation 6202J EPA 430-F-94-013B September 1994 oEPA USDA Ruminant Livestock Methane Program Opportunities for the Beef Industry The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working together with livestock producers to improve the efficiency of livestock production. This initiative has important economic benefits for livestock producers and their customers, the American public. The program also reduces emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Even though U.S. livestock indus- tries have the most efficient animal production systems in the world, there is still room for additional improvements. A rumi- nant can lose from 2 to 12 percent of the energy from its feed to the production of methane. By avoiding this loss, dietary energy Efficiency is the central theme of the ruminant livestock methane program is made available for growth or lactation. As a result, livestock producers will benefit economically from higher calving rates, better calf growth, faster heifer maturation, higher milk yields, and healthier animals while saving on veterinary bills and other costs. In turn, consumers will benefit from less expensive products. The environment also benefits because this program reduces the threat of global warming. The Ruminant Livestock Methane Program is a key component of President Clinton's Climate Change Action Plan, which promotes efficiency and American resourcefulness to avert the threat of global warming. Efficiently Managed Beef Cattle = Reduced Methane Emissions The demand for leaner, safer, and higher quality food by the American consumer is changing the way ruminant animals are being managed. These changes also create opportunities to reduce methane emissions by improving efficiency of animal production. Market factors, com- bined with a slowly expanding national herd, are leading to lower cattle prices and tougher competition. As profit margins become narrower, producers need to pursue every possible means to reduce unit costs. Methane production in cattle repre- sents a loss of dietary energy. All cattle produce methane as feed is digested in the rumen and methane then is exhaled. Furthermore, some cattle produce more Production Efficiency than others. Although very productive animals produce large amounts of methane, the amount of methane they produce per unit of product compared to less productive animals is very low. Poorer nutrition generally contributes to higher methane emissions. The best way to reduce methane emissions from cattle in the U.S. is to improve produc- tivity. Because the demand for animal products in the U.S. is relatively stable, fewer animals would be required to meet market demands. There is much potential for improv- ing efficiency in the cow-calf sector. For example, producers aim for about 90 calves for every 100 cows, with the national average about 80. In some regions, however, producers average fewer than 70 calves per 100 cows. Improving the nutrition of breeding heifers and cows will promote faster conception and easier repeat breeding the following year. It will also lead to and sustain higher calving percentages and heavier weaning weights. Keeping these factors as high as possible mini- mizes both methane emissions and unit costs of production. Changing producers' attitudes toward livestock methane production is a challenge for the 1990s! EPA and USDA are striving to elevate the level of awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of livestock methane reduction. Costs Production Efficiency Costs 54 Methane Methane 1 990 2000 ------- The Ruminant Livestock Methane Program: How Does it Work? This voluntary program is designed to help livestock produc- ers in key regions of the country to improve the productivity of their operations. Land-grant universities and USDA research- ers are conducting regional assessments to identify improved management practices, technologies, and marketing options that will improve productivity while reducing methane emis- sions. In conjunction with these studies, extension services will promote the most profitable and appropriate options for reduc- ing methane emissions from beef cows. Local conservation districts will promote cost-effective livestock management plans that will improve animal performance while enhancing forage resources. Outreach activities for this program will include keeping producers informed, integrating results into existing extension programs, evaluating the effectiveness of extension activities, developing management tools for producers to survey their operations and assess productivity options, and conducting hands-on demonstrations. The Strategy EPA and USDA will undertake targeted research, demonstration projects, and outreach efforts to reduce methane emissions from beef cattle. These efforts all emphasize increasing animal productivity and reducing producer and consumer costs. A number of management and marketing improvements have been identified as having large potential for this program. Benefits Productivity—Healthier calves, heavier weaning weights, and savings on feed means profit for producers. Lower Retail Costs—As costs of production are reduced, consumers will enjoy lower meat prices. Healthier Products—Leaner products will be produced as the industry wins the "War on Fat." Environment—Methane is reduced and soil and water quality are conserved through improved grazing manage- ment. Management Improvements Better Grazing Management Strategic Supplementation Better Feed Efficiency Through Production-Enhancing Technologies Better Genetic Characteristics Improved Reproduction Better Health Through Disease Control Promoting Lower Fat Products Support the "War on Fat"—the Industry's Initiative to Reduce Excess Fat Production Regional Assessment: Inter-mountain West Utah State University is conducting a 3-year study to evaluate the impact of various grazing and livestock management practices on production and methane emissions. Specific areas of investigation include estab- lishment and management of alterna- tive forages, varying grazing intensity, and an alternative production strat- egy where a feeder animal reaches slaughter weight at about 9 months of age. Future Fact Sheet Opportunities for the Dairy Industry For more information contact: RecycM/Racyclable Printed with Soy/CanoJa Ink on paper that contains at (east 50% recycled fiber Greg Hendricks, USDA-SCS Ecological Sciences Division P.O. Box2890, Washington DC20013 Phone 202 720-0436 • FAX202 720-2646 MarkOrlic, EPA Global Change Division, 6202 J 401 M. Street NW, Washington DC 20460 Phone 202 233-9043 • FAX202 233-9569 ------- |