Milestones review of Filling the Research Gap Round 2 (FRG 2) projects B.CCH.7310, B.CCH.7320, B.CCH.7610 and B.CCH.7620
| Project start date: | 01 July 2013 |
| Project end date: | 31 August 2018 |
| Publication date: | 31 August 2018 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep, Goat, Lamb, Grassfed cattle, Grainfed cattle |
Summary
This consultancy provided rigorous science review of research projects related to the National Livestock Methane Program (NLMP) but outside the governance of NLMP. This includes projects supported within Round Two of Filling the Research Gap and other key projects related to carbon and the carbon farming initiative.
The potential to reduce methane production from ruminants is of major interest in Australia and internationally. As well as reducing the greenhouse gas production from ruminants, reducing methane production in the rumen could potentially enhance productivity and feed efficiency, as methane losses account for about 6-10% of gross feed intake. Many approaches are being evaluated but with recent progress in vaccine development, it as appropriate review the possibilities for an immunization approach. There are precedents for a vaccination approach in that there are reports where vaccination against specific rumen microbes was effective in preventing lactic acidosis in cattle and sheep.
The reviews provided commercial in confidence information relating to the (commercial) opportunity with activities relating to a reduction of greenhouse emissions.
Ongoing investigation of the potential of this work area is warranted.
