Farming plays an essential role in fostering food security in both developed and developing countries. Livestock in particular, is essential in providing food and nutrition in the growing world population. Rearing of cows, goats and sheep is a common practice in the world.
Livestock production is associated with the release of greenhouse gases, especially methane gas. Methane is produced in the rumen digestive systems. Scientifically ruminants such as cattle have four stomachs namely rumen reticulum, omasum and abomasum. These animals also commonly chew the cud.
With respect to contributions from the agricultural sector, livestock production is the leading contributor to climate change.
Managing farmyard manure and slurry is a key step in ensuring that emissions are reduced. Innovative feed options are also crucial in fighting climate change. Feed manufacturers are already formulating combinations which develop less emissions.
Some farmers are also implementing monogastric production, mainly focusing on poultry and pigs in order to minimise the effects of enteric fermentation caused by animals such as cows.
In the livestock sector, cattle rearing for meat and milk purposes accounts for 44% of emissions emanating from the livestock sector.
Some leading international companies such as Mootral have developed environmentally friendly feed options for livestock. Mootral is a British Swiss company which develops natural feeds for the benefit of farmers to ensure that their livestock emits less emissions into the environment.
Source: FAO, 2021
Emissions by species show that cattle have the highest impact on the environment through a higher generation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions. The choices that farmers make and the combinations of livestock and poultry as well as maintaining sustainable herds is critical in the fight against climate change.
Picture: Editor-in-Chief Green Business Gazette (GBG) Tawanda Collins Muzamwese, meets a representative of Mootral in Barcelona, Spain
The Editor-in-Chief of the Green Business Gazette attended an international summit in Barcelona. Spain in which he met representatives from Mootral and received an update on the work being done to develop innovative feeds with minimal impacts on the environment.
