Modelling methane emissions from Merino lambs on improved forages in low rainfall mixed farming systems

2016
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Brian Dzoma (SARDI)
Year(s) 2016
Contributor Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation
Trial location(s) Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA
Modelling methane emissions from Merino lambs on improved forages in low rainfall mixed farming systems locations
Aims

The issue of enteric (from intestines) methane (CH4) emissions produced by ruminant livestock is gaining local and global interest due to methane being a powerful greenhouse gas and ruminants being a significant source of emissions. In the absence of measurements, prediction models can facilitate the estimation of enteric methane emissions from ruminant livestock and aid investigation of mitigation options. In Southern Australia, the management of the feedbase in low rainfall mixed farming systems through addressing ‘feed gaps’ – times of year during which the supply of forage is insufficient to meet livestock demand; is a key practice change which has the potential to mitigate methane emissions, particularly from sheep.

 

The aim of this trial was to evaluate pasture/forage options with a potential to fill the late-spring and early winter feed gaps and to measure comparative animal production and feed quality in response to current and improved forages. Methane output (gCH4/day) was simulated using the GrazFeed model.

 

The GrazFeed decision support tool is a component of the GRAZPLAN decision support project for Australian grazing enterprises developed by CSIRO to help graziers improve the profitability of livestock production through more efficient use of pastures and supplementary feeds. It does this by predicting the intake of energy and protein and their use for maintenance and production (Freer et al., 1997).

Key messages
  • Grazing vetch and lucerne can be used as a management strategy to improve lamb dry matter intake and growth rates during the late spring and early winter feed gaps.
  • The Grazfeed decision support tool has predicted that while both legume forages (vetch and lucerne) will increase methane output (gCH4/day), there is a reduction in methane output per unit of animal product (gCH4/day/100gADWG).
  • Moisture limitations can affect herbage production of lucerne, which in turn reduces the chances of growing lambs to achieve the full potential dry matter intake in low rainfall mixed farming systems.
Lead research organisation Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation
Host research organisation SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial funding source AGAC AOTGR2-0039
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Thanks to Jake Hull, Wade Shepperd and John Kelsh for managing the livestock and setting up trial infrastructure; Jessica Crettenden for livestock handling and sheep data management. This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture – Action on the Ground program (Project Code: AOTGR2-0039 Reducing sheep methane emissions through improved forage quality on mixed farms).


Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Hay: Oaten Hay: Vetch Grain Legume: Lupins
Treatment type(s)
  • Grazing: Application Method
  • Grazing: Rate
  • Grazing: Timing
Trial type
Trial design

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2016 Oaten

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2016 Vetch

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2016 Lupins

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Calcarosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA
2016 460.0mm
2015 415.5mm
2014 453.9mm
2013 396.0mm
2012 450.9mm
2011 480.7mm
2010 470.2mm
2009 468.7mm
2008 379.3mm
2007 367.3mm
2006 402.0mm
2005 385.9mm
2004 384.9mm
2003 396.9mm
2002 397.0mm
2001 455.2mm
2000 452.8mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 325mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 241mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 333mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 258mm

Derived climate information

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA

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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2016 trial report



Trial last modified: 06-08-2019 07:54am AEST