Fit-for-purpose biochar to improve efficiency in ruminants
Did you know biochars have variable methane abatement results?
| Project start date: | 18 December 2018 |
| Project end date: | 03 March 2022 |
| Publication date: | 29 June 2022 |
| Project status: | Completed |
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Download Report
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Summary
Over the last decade, enteric CH4 production by livestock has been targeted by ruminant nutritionists because of its contribution to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, biochar has attracted interest as an additive for ruminants because of its positive effect on soil health and its anti-methanogenic potential, although in vivo results are limited and sometimes contradictory.
This project aimed to manipulate the process of biochar production to produce fit-for-purpose biochar. Candidates were tested in vivo and in vitro, and methane reduction results varied greatly. No candidate was found that demonstrated commercially viable methane abatement levels, however the results form the basis for further research to manipulate and identify a suitable candidate.
Objectives
-Manipulate the process of biochar production to produce fit-for-purpose biochar for ruminant production.
-Use a range of different substrates to help generate fit-for-purpose biochar.
-Identify a dose that maximises productivity and minimises emissions from livestock systems and that can be incorporated into a palatable diet for livestock.
Key findings
The 14 biochars tested showed a wide variability in methane inhibition, ranging from no effect to up to a 41% inhibition in vitro. These findings confirmed that not all biochars are able to decrease enteric methane, the effect is dependent on different characteristics such as biomass used, pyrolysis temperature, pre- and post pyrolysis manipulation, dose rate and additional compounds in the biochar.
Benefits to industry
The Red Meat industry has set an ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2030. To achieve this target, methane inhibiting feed additives will play an important role. Although this project did not identify commercially viable methane abatements levels, the results do advance the field of biochar use as a supplement for ruminants and could form the basis for more strategic manipulation of biochar to have greater effects in the rumen.
Future research
Some of the biochars initially tested were able to decrease methane emissions under controlled feeding conditions in cattle, but results indicated that both biochars did not have sufficient methane reduction capability (8%–13%) or productivity benefits to warrant engaging a third party to develop a business case for the further development of palatable biochar supplements for commercial application. The results do demonstrate that it is possible to custom-design biochars to influence the end products of fermentation in the rumen. Further research could identify a fit-for-purpose biochar with much greater anti-methanogenic properties (3-4times or more than current project, to compensate for the variables in grazing systems that could dilute the effect detected in respiration-chambers) to be commercially-viable for Australian grazing systems. The biochars assessed in this project did not offer methane abatement levels that would allow it to be classified as anti-methanogenic for commercial purposes. Our results do advance the field of biochar use as a supplement for ruminants and could form the basis for more strategic manipulation of biochar to have greater effects in the rumen.
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For more information Contact Project Manager: Lindsey Perry |
