Development of the National Livestock Methane Database

Summary

The National Livestock Methane Database was created to provide a single, searchable, publically accessible repository for information generated in the Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program (RELRP) and National Livestock Methane Program (NLMP); two programs co-ordinated by MLA. The research was funded by the Commonwealth of Australia with co-funding from MLA, Dairy Australia, Australian Wool Innovation and research partners.

Additionally, research funded through the CSIRO Livestock Methane Research Cluster and the Commonwealth Filling the Research Gap round 2 program were also selected for inclusion in the database.

Research conducted under the auspices of these programs is valued at approximately AU$40 million. The impact of this research for the industry cannot be maximized without an effective mechanism to make the data available to the research community and to extend the findings to industry. This database is intended to achieve these goals.

The research program sought to bring together domain expertise in the fields of database creation and development and ruminant nutrition, specifically around enteric methane emissions and their mitigation. A steering committee comprised of policy, extension, research and education representatives assisted in defining the terms of reference for the project.

Throughout the project, the project team met with research groups involved in NLMP both electronically and face to face. Database presentations were given at NLMP science updates and steering committee meetings  Three focus meetings were held to discuss and demonstrate the database. The database was launched at the final NLMP technical workshop and update to government-held in Ellinbank on 9th to 11th June 2015.