Reducing enteric emissions in dairy cattle through feeding strategies (HAPPYCLIMI)

Previous research showed that incorporating rapeseed meal (and brewers grains) in the ration leads to enteric methane reduction. The main objective of this LA-project is to substantiate in the short term the working mechanism of this and to make this mitigation strategy more widely applicable among dairy farmers, with different basic rations, and possibly to extend it to other fermented cereal by-products. In addition, the project screens in vitro the potential of new feed raw materials for their methane-reducing capacity in order to deploy them in the medium and long term.

IIn a first work package, feed components and additives are screened in vitro to evaluate their potential to reduce enteric methane. It consists of 2 parts: further substantiate the proven feed strategies from SMARTmelken and screening 60 new feed components for their methane-reducing potential. In the second work package the enteric methane emissions of 2 methane reducing feed strategies will be measured on 4 dairy farms. In the next work package a protocol will be developed in which methane-reducing feed strategies can be tested efficiently and effectively in practice and to make a link to Klimrek (which builds a useful science-based tool that allows individual companies to perform their own climate scan and discover the most efficient climate improvement measures). 

Within the framework of the Covenant on Enteric Emissions in Cattle, the livestock sector in general and dairy cattle farmers in particular must substantially reduce their enteric methane emissions. To avoid a sharp reduction of livestock, feed-based mitigation measures are generally accepted as the most obvious option. The valorisation and implementation in HAPPYCLIMI will have great value for dairy farmers. They will receive a clear manual on how to reduce methane with rapeseed and fermented cereal by-products. Furthermore, participating companies will find out if their side streams have potential to be validated as methane reducing additives/components.