Mitigation of enteric methane for French cattle: potential extent and cost of selected actions
M. Doreau A D , L. Bamière B , S. Pellerin C , M. Lherm A and M. Benoit A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A INRA/VetAgroSup UMR 1213 Herbivores, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.
B INRA UMR Economie Publique, BP 01 78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France.
C INRA Département Environnement et Agronomie, 33883 Villenave d’Ornon Cedex, France.
D Corresponding author. Email: michel.doreau@clermont.inra.fr
Animal Production Science 54(9) 1417-1422 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14207
Submitted: 11 March 2014 Accepted: 4 June 2014 Published: 14 July 2014
Abstract
The purpose of this study was (i) to select options for enteric methane abatement in French conditions, while maintaining production and changing practices but not systems, and (ii) to evaluate the extent of abatement and its cost from 2010 to 2030. Two options were selected: supplying unsaturated fats, and using nitrates as a dietary additive in the diet. Unsaturated fats resulted in a higher abatement, because a greater number of animals were concerned by the option, but incurred a higher total cost and a higher cost per ton of CO2-equivalent avoided. The results were sensitive to methodology, and to variations in the choice of fats and in the cost of ingredients, among other factors. Given their cost, evaluated in the frame of a marginal abatement cost curve, these options will require strong public policies for their application.
Additional keywords: greenhouse gases, fats, marginal abatement cost curve, nitrates.
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