Gary discussed three methodologies currently being worked on as mitigation strategies for methane reduction:
- Genetics
- Certain sheep have been identified as having low methane emisions. These are also sheep whtat are low yielding so there is a trade-off with performance. This is explained that lower performance comes from lower VFA production so less energy for growth.
- Vaccines
- Work would suggest that these cannot reduce methane substantially. The way vaccines work would suggest this cannot have a real impact in the rumen
- Seaweed
- The active ingredient in seaweed is bromoform so better just to produce bromoform rather than dragging seaweed out of the sea. Bromoform does speed up ozone destruction. This is not a sustainable solution.
More research is needed on sustainable alternatives to reducing methane emissions.
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