Canada invests in Research to Reduce Methane Gas Emissions in Cattle

The program supports research into greenhouse gas mitigation practices and technologies that can be adopted on the farm.

LETHBRIDGE, AB, -- Farmers know the importance of keeping the land, water and air healthy to sustain their farms from one generation to the next. They also know that a clean environment and a strong economy go hand-in-hand.

Also read, Feeding cows seaweed could reduce methane emissions.

"Canadian farmers are great stewards of the land and the environment. These new investments are part of the government's commitment to addressing climate change and ensuring our farmers are world leaders in the use and development of clean and sustainable technology and processes," Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre) Kent Hehr announced a $1.1 million investment with the University of Lethbridge to study ways to reduce methane gas emissions in cattle.

"The government is committed to help address climate change and this investment will help farmers adopt sustainable practices that will reduce the amount of methane gas produced, while maintaining a productive herd and strengthening farm business," Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre).

This project with the University of Lethbridge is one of 20 new research projects supported by the $27 million Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AGGP), a partnership with universities and conservation groups across Canada. The program supports research into greenhouse gas mitigation practices and technologies that can be adopted on the farm.

"Reducing the amount of greenhouse gases produced by the cattle sector is important both environmentally, economically and helps build public trust. Producers want to operate in a sustainable fashion and our study results will help them do that," Dr. Erasmus Okine, University of Lethbridge Vice-President (Research).

Quick facts

• The AGGP is a $27-million initiative intended to help the agricultural sector adjust to climate change and improve soil and water conservation.
• The study led by the University of Lethbridge will investigate whether the use of biochar, a feed supplement, in beef cattle diets improves the efficiency of digestion and reduces the amount of methane gas produced. 
• The new AGGP investments will continue to support the work of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, which brings together 47 countries to find ways to grow more food without growing greenhouse gas emissions.

SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada