Factors Affecting Mitigation of Methane Emission from Ruminants: Management Strategies

• Main Authors: Afshar Mirzaei-Aghsaghali, Naser Maheri-Sis, Seyed Alireza Siadati, Nader Jalilnejad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Union of Scientists in Bulgaria 2015-06-01
• Series: Ecologia Balkanica
• Subjects: methane; enteric fermentation; ruminant; management; global warming
• Online Access: http://web.uni-plovdiv.bg/mollov/EB/2015_vol7_iss1/171-190_eb.15301.pdf

Nowadays, greenhouse gas emission which results in elevating global temperature is an important subject of worldwide ecological and environmental concern. Among greenhouse gases, methane is considered a potent greenhouse gas with 21 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide. Worldwide, ruminant livestock produce about 80 million metric tons of methane each year, accounting for about 28% of global emissions from human related activities. Therefore it is impelling animal scientists to finding solutions to mitigate methane emission from ruminants. It seems that solutions can be discussed in four topics including: nutrition (feeding), biotechnology, microbiology and management strategies. We have already published the first review article on feeding strategies. In the current review, management strategies such as emphasizing on animals - type and individual variability, reducing livestock numbers, improving animal productivity and longevity as well as pasture management; that can be leads to decreasing methane production from ruminant animal production are discussed.