newsletterLIVESTOCK RESEARCH GROUP

The Livestock Research Group (LRG) will hold its fourth meeting in Uruguay from 1-2 November 2012. The formal LRG meeting will start at 2:00pm on 1 November and will continue until the evening of 2 November. Member countries are requested to limit participation to two LRG member representatives per country and other invited participants/speakers. The meeting will be chaired by the LRG co-chairs Harry Clark (New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre) and Martin Scholten (Wageningen UR, The Netherlands).

The meeting will follow a round table format, with updates from individual countries as well as presentations from representatives of the LRG Networks (Manure Management, RMG, ASSG, Feed and Nutrition, and the proposed network on Animal Health) to update their progress and work to date. Invited international organisations of interest to the work of the LRG will discuss specific collaboration opportunities and joint support for capability building projects. The agenda will discuss actions under all six areas of the work plan. The meeting will develop an update of work plan with agreed priorities for the next year. An agenda has been distributed to all country representatives and is available to download from the LRG website.

The LRG received a strong response to the call for posters issued earlier this year. After some deliberation and discussion with the meeting organisers, 25 posters have been accepted that are dedicated to the aims and objectives of the LRG; the posters will be available for LRG representatives to view during the two days of the meeting.

The LRG’s next meeting will be held in association with the fifth Greenhouse Gas and Animal Agriculture conference in June 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.

For more information about the LRG meeting please contact Dr Andy Reisinger at andy.reisinger@nzagrc.org.nz or Dr Jac Meijs at jac.meijs@wur.nl. Anyone still wishing to register please contact the Global Research Alliance Secretariat (secretariat@globalresearchalliance.org).

The newsletter seems to be ever expanding; in this issue we have articles from member countries in contrasting parts of the world, which is a great testament to the global reach of the LRG.

Country focus articles provide an insight into the agriculture systems in Indonesia and the nature of the agricultural GHG emissions. Examples are provided about the research currently underway to mitigate methane emissions from ruminants.

Uruguay provides an introduction to their agricultural economy and a picture of the multiple challenges that climate change presents to their country. Up to 80% of GHG emissions are from agriculture, with livestock the main contributor, but with government intervention through a National Plan for Climate Change there is research underway to consider the risks, and techniques to both adapt to and mitigate climate change.

An update from the South East Asia technical capability building workshop sits next to the article from the most recent workshop in Nairobi, Kenya (September 22-24). The South East Asia initiative has now secured funding from the New Zealand Government for a small twelve month project to improve their agriculture inventory. While in Africa, ten countries have agreed to develop a task force to define their collective needs for inventory improvements.

An evaluation of the innovative Greenfeed System to measure methane emissions from individual animals was completed in New Zealand. The findings are summarised in the newsletter with a full report available for individuals interested in further information.

In addition to this, the newsletter continues its regular features on LEARN fellows, capability building and up-coming events.

We are busy making final preparations for the next LRG meeting in Uruguay next month. The draft agenda has been circulated and many of you have already registered for the meeting. We have a full programme which will make for a very busy and exciting meeting and we look forward to engaging with you once again to plan our work for the next year.

Enjoy reading the newsletter,Harry and Martin

Livestock Research Group MeetingPunte del Este, Uruguay 1-2 November 2012

Update from the co-chairs

A country focus: Uruguay

Main features of Agriculture and GHG in UruguayUruguay, located in the south of South America is a temperate climate country. Since 1961, mean annual temperature increased by about 0.5°C and mean annual rainfall increased by about 33% (Figure 1). Such variations are considered the result of and attributed to climate change effects.

Livestock and agriculture (annual crops) are one of the main economic resources of Uruguay, representing more than 10% of the GDP of the country. Uruguay has a human population of 3.25 million and a beef cattle and dairy cattle population of almost 12.million heads (92% and 8% respectively). About 80% of the livestock is raised on native pastures, where existing climate variability causes important forage production variability between years, which affects the energy and protein consumption.

About 80% of the country’s total greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions come from agriculture, and livestock is the main contributor through the emissions of enteric methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from animal wastes. Furthermore, the national GHG inventory estimates

total emissions of 28.5 Mt of CO2-eq, which represents more than 9 T of CO2-eq per capita, which is one of the highest rates among Latin-American countries and similar to Argentina, Japan and France (Cepal, 2010). In Uruguay, the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector represents a significant annual net sink of 10.3 Mt of CO2, which offsets roughly 30% of our overall emissions (2004 National GHG inventory). Regarding CO2, by far the dominant anthropogenic GHG worldwide, Uruguay is a negative emitter, as it sequesters more than it emits.

In 2009, the Uruguayan government launched the ‘National Plan for Climate Change’. Its objective is to coordinate and design the public and private actions for the prevention of risks, mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

The Plan gives priority and emphasis to several adaptation strategies for the agricultural sector in general such as:•Strengthen the role of the National Emergency System•Elaborating ‘Plans of Risk Assessment’ for extreme events (drought,

flooding, severe winds)

• Improving the Interdisciplinary System for preventing and fighting forest fires

•Development of ‘Early Warning Systems’ associated to the different sectors affected by climate change.

The plan also includes mitigation strategies for the livestock sector such as:•Reduction of CH4 emissions in dairy farms and beef feedlots by

adequate manure management practices• Improvement of animal diet by increasing the area of cultivated

and improved native pastures and increasing the efficiency of the process reducing the age at slaughter

•Carbon sequestration in soils while improving grass productivity.

Research priorities and projects on the field (research and extension)

Recently, the University of Uruguay (UdelaR) has opened the first ‘Interdisciplinary Center for the Variability of Climate and Climate Change’. Several academic activities are promoted from the Centre

such as conferences and seminars on climate change and its effects on agriculture. The UdelaR additionally promotes, through post-graduate studies, several research projects including carbon footprint measures in beef and dairy cattle systems, or enteric methane emission factors. The National Research Institute for Agriculture (INIA), UdelaR and Ministry of Agriculture are leading different research projects focused on the quantification and modeling of N2O and CH4 emissions from beef and dairy cattle and developing mitigation strategies through different diets alternatives. Many of the projects are searching for the development of country specific emissions factors for enteric CH4 and for N2O emissions from bovine urine under different management systems. Other GHG projects are modeling emissions from rice cultivation and for some agriculture-pasture rotation systems.Some of the projects are national while others are working in a regional scale including countries as Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Dominican Republic. These countries are working together in a Fontagro project, coordinated by Uruguay, within the frame of the Alliance.

Figure 2. Evolution of Uruguayan net GHG emissions for period 1990-2004, expressed in CO2 eq. (MVOTMA, 2010).

Figure 1. Evolution of temperature (A) and rainfall (B) in Uruguay for the period 1961 – 2005 (Cepal, 2010: La economía del cambio climático en el Uruguay. Síntesis.).

would reduce GHG emissions by 26% below projected business-as-usual by 2020, and make an even greater reduction of up to 41% with international support. While agriculture only contributes 7% to national greenhouse gas emissions and livestock contributes less than 2% of this, the livestock population is projected to increase by almost 7% each year as national and international demand for livestock products increases. Consequently the Government has invested into research related to methane mitigation from ruminant livestock. Key institutes involved in the research include the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development, the Agriculture Environment Research Institute (BPPT); Universities such as Dipenogoro University, Gadjah Mada University, Institute Pertanian Bogor; and the National Nuclear Energy Agency.

Many excellent research programmes are underway. The more advanced research programmes include a programme to mitigate enteric methane production using local feed additives. Additives like tannin and saponin extracted from the plant Sapindus rarak have been found to reduce methane production by 20-30%. Another local feed additive Feed Block Supplement-Complete

Rumen Modifier (FBS-CRM) for use with cattle has been found to reduce enteric methane production by up to 50%. This feed additive is now being introduced to small- holder farmers.

Some leguminous trees such as Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Calliandra calothyrsus and Accasia are now widely used by the small-holder farmer as feed supplements as they improve animal productivity by between 10-30%. It has also been found to reduce methane production in the rumen by up to 30%.

Research into bacteria has isolated a acetogenic rumen microbe from deer that has been found to reduce methane produced in the rumen by 12%. When the bacteria was combined with defaunating agents, it reduced methane produced in the rumen by up to 29%.

Manure management particularly from cattle is also becoming an important issue to reduce methane emission. Hundreds of small biogas systems using cattle manure are implemented in many small holder farms. Gas produced from the system is used for cooking and in some cases also converted to electricity.

The economy of Indonesia is slowly diversifying, but as much as 16% of the GDP is still provided by the agricultural sector which also employs 45% of the working population, numbers that testify to the importance of agriculture.

Being blessed with a great climate, fantastically fertile volcanic soil, an abundance of water, plenty of arable land and no lack of working hands (with a population of 245 million), Indonesia is now the world’s largest producer of palm oil, and the world’s leading producer of coffee, rubber and cocoa. Livestock is also important to the agricultural economy and makes up about 12.5% of the agricultural GDP. In 2011, the livestock population was estimated as being 15.5m cattle; 1.4m buffalo; 28.8m goat and sheep; 7.8m swine and 1.5b poultry. Most livestock are concentrated in Java and Bali, where the animals are semi-intensively kept in animal houses and fed with high fibrous and low protein diet from agriculture byproducts. But there are also up to 100 million subsistence farmers scattered across Indonesia with two and sometimes three generations working together with only 1-3 head of cattle per farm. Livestock not only provide food but also draughting power and thus make an important contribution to rural livelihoods.

Climate change is clearly a risk for Indonesia and the Government is committed to mitigating climate change. At the G20 meeting in 2009, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced that Indonesia

A country focus: Indonesia – South East Asia

April 2013, Central Research Institute for Animal Science in Bogor, West Java-Indonesia

Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Methane Mitigation Workshop

Biogas system installation in small-scale farmer

The workshop aims to improve regional capability and consistency in the inventory and measurement of methane emissions from livestock. The key outcome of the workshop is to build research collaborations to improve the quantification and mitigation of agricultural GHG emissions.

The workshop will be hosted by the Government of Indonesia through the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural

Research and Development. The workshop will be open for participants interested in inventory and measurement from methane emissions from livestock production.

Speakers at the workshop will be from research institutes, universities, and the private sector.

Individuals interested in participating in this workshop should contact Amlius Thalib (am_thalib@yahoo.com).

Dr. Robert E. Hungate was a pioneering US scientist, who cultured the first anaerobic rumen bacteria in 1950 with a funding grant of just US$600. A new global initiative has been aptly named after him: the Hungate 1000 project aims to produce a reference set of microbial genome sequences from cultivated rumen bacteria and methanogenic archaea, together with representative cultures of rumen anaerobic fungi and ciliate protozoa. The genome sequence catalogue from the rumen microbiome will provide a comprehensive starting point for research and a foundation on which a range of other data can be layered to give a systems biology approach.

The rumen microbiome consists mainly of anaerobic microorganisms including bacteria, methanogenic archaea, fungi, ciliate protozoa and viruses. However, genome sequence information is currently only publicly available for a small number of rumen bacteria and a single methanogen. The genome information gathered through the Hungate 1000 project will be used to support the development of methane mitigation and rumen adaptation technologies, and initiate genome-enabled research aimed at understanding rumen function.

The project forms part of the Rumen Microbial Genomics (RMG) Network, a virtual global network of researchers (http://www.

rmgnetwork.org.nz/) that will collaborate to speed up the development of rumen microbial genomics approaches for reducing methane emissions from ruminant livestock, and to improve our understanding of feed conversion efficiency and rumen function.

The Hungate 1000 project is funded by the New Zealand Government in support of the Livestock Research Group of the Global Research Alliance, and the sequencing is supported by the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute Community Sequencing Program.

Natalie Pickering has been appointed on a two year post doctoral fellowship with AgResearch in New Zealand. Funded by the New Zealand Government in support of the Livestock Research Group of the Global Research Alliance, Natalie will work on a global initiative to investigate genetic, genomic and phenotypic measurement parameters in cattle and sheep.

The initiative underpins the Animal Selection, Genetics and Genomics Network (www.asggn.org) and its success is contingent on international collaboration and the wide engagement of scientists across the globe.

Genetic improvement to increase productivity offers a permanent, cumulative and relatively easy means of reducing methane emission intensity from livestock.

Additional reductions can be obtained through directly selecting for low emitting phenotypes. However, unravelling the genetic/genomic components of any variation that may exist in livestock relies on generational recording and associated accurate pedigree information, and phenotype measurements from large numbers of animals. Natalie will work across multiple countries to combine existing phenotype information and, using experience among different research groups, will develop shared measurement protocols and breeding objectives to help reduce emissions intensity via targeted breeding and selection indices.

Results from one species will probably not be directly translatable between species even if there are common trends in the genetic relationships. However, it is highly likely that information derived from one ruminant species in relation to CH4 emissions and co-

related traits will provide useful indicators to guide research in other ruminants. Therefore, the project will not be limited to a single species, but will have an overview of Dairy, Beef and Sheep research to identify synergies.

For anyone interested in learning more about the project please contact Dr John McEwan project leader at AgResearch (john.mcewan@agresearch.co.nz) and Natalie Pickering (natalie.pickering@agresearch.co.nz)

Identifying low CH4 emitting phenotypes

Hungate 1000 – a catalogue of reference genomes from the rumen microbiome

Natalie Pickering

Priorities for action – livestock emissions workshop in Nairobi

Improved inventory and mitigation of greenhouse gases in livestock production in South East Asia

A workshop to help build capacity and capability for livestock emissions inventories took place recently in Hanoi, Vietnam. The workshop was the second meeting of four countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam) held under the auspices of the LRG as part of a broader set of activities to build regional capacity in developing countries. The workshop, held on the 6th and 7th September, was sponsored by the New Zealand Government through its Ministry for Primary Industries and hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture for Vietnam as part of its support for the Alliance.

The workshop built on outcomes generated by the participants of the first workshop held in Thailand in April 2012, where four activities were identified that would help build regional capacity and advance knowledge on GHG emissions and mitigation options:

1) Inventories: a) to develop a common classification of production systems that better represents regional practices and existing activity data, and b) to identify key areas within those production systems where region/country-specific emission factors could be developed via measurements, and to undertake priority measurements across the region

2) Mitigation (feed systems): to explore options for improved animal feeding to improve productivity and reduce emissions intensity, based on locally relevant feeding systems, species, and pasture management options

3) Mitigation (feed additives): to identify potential locally appropriate feed additives to mitigate enteric CH4

4) Mitigation (manure): to explore options for improving manure management systems (both biogas and manure treatment), with consideration of options that suit small-holder farms.

Participants collaboratively developed concept notes for each activity, led by Thailand (inventories), Indonesia (mitigation – feed systems), Malaysia (mitigation – feed additives), Viet Nam (mitigation – manure). The concept notes summarised the goals, benefits, existing capacity, relevant institutions and individuals, and critical capacity and support needs in each country and collectively in the region.

Using the concept notes as a foundation for discussion, the recent workshop in Vietnam brought the four countries back together to develop an initial 12-month project (stage one of an anticipated much larger project) to develop a fuller understanding of the diversity of livestock systems in SE Asia and their greenhouse gas emissions, and from that identify priority areas for improving the quantification and mitigation of emissions. This initial inventory-focused project will culminate in the development of a proposal for a much larger regional project based on the priority areas identified during the next 12-months. The New Zealand Government has agreed in principle to fund this first stage.

The LRG concluded the most recent of its regional workshops this month, between 24-26th September in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop was hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and sponsored by the Government of New Zealand, ILRI and its Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) programme in support of the objectives of the Livestock Research Group of the Global Research Alliance.

Twenty participants representing Government, National Research Institutes and Universities from Burkino Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda discussed research needs and opportunities with scientists from Alliance member countries (Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and Germany) related to inventory estimation and measurement, establishing emission factors from local livestock systems, and mitigation options. A representative from each country outlined the current methods and challenges for measurement and estimation of emissions, current capacity for mitigation of livestock research systems and possible future research opportunities and capability initiatives.

Key outcomesThe workshop participants identified and agreed a set of priorities covering the regions of Western/South Africa and East Africa. The participants agreed to develop a three level taskforce coordinating at a national, regional and Pan Africa level to identify scientists and institutes for a research project which will improve the quantification of livestock emissions for national inventories.

All participants agreed to report back to their Governments and encourage countries to join the Global Research Alliance to advance research and collaboration in this area.

One of the priorities for the Livestock Research Group (LRG) is to help build countries’ capacity and capability to measure and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from livestock systems, without compromising productivity. The Group agreed that a series of regional technical workshops to identify opportunities for capability building and increasing scientific expertise are an important part of this work area.

Inventory and mitigation research of enteric CH4 emissions in New Zealand has been based mainly on the SF6 tracer technique. However, a key challenge for this technique is its labour intensity and limited accuracy for individual animals. Alternatively, findings from standardised and accurate respiration chambers cannot easily be extrapolated to free-ranging situations. Recently, the GreenFeedTM system (C-Lock Inc, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA) has been developed as a new method for estimating daily CH4 emissions from free-ranging ruminants.

The GreenFeed system potentially offers a lower cost option for estimating emissions from individual cows and herds than the labour intensive SF6

methodology and the accurate but artificial respiration chamber method. To test whether the GreenFeed system could be an option for use under grazing herd situations, a two part study was funded by the New Zealand Government. The first part assessed how CH4 measurements taken using the GreenFeed system compared with those obtained from the SF6 and respiration chamber methods. The second part studied the behavioural characteristics of New Zealand grazing cows using the system.

The first study was conducted under controlled conditions, indoors at AgResearch Grasslands (Palmerston North, New Zealand), using non-lactating cows. The same amount of silage was fed twice a day at restricted intakes. This study was designed to avoid confounding effects of variation in feed intakes and feeding times. Methane emissions were determined using GreenFeed, SF6 and respiration chambers. Preliminary results and conclusions presented here are specific to these experimental conditions. This study showed that:

Evaluation of the Greenfeed Methane Measurement System; Experience from New Zealand

• Mean CH4 emission estimates by the GreenFeed system were higher and more variable than those derived from the respiration chamber and the SF6 tracer technique

• Herd-average emissions derived from Greenfeed measurements correlated well over 24-hour periods with those derived from respiration chambers

• The GreenFeed system did not rank individual animals for their CH4 emissions in the same order as the respiration chamber method

• Cow interaction with the GreenFeed unit and other cows in the group, plus the timing, number and duration of animal visits to the GreenFeed system influenced the accuracy and variability of emission estimates for individual animals

• Animal visits to the Greenfeed unit lasting around 7min seem to be associated with the most accurate CH4 emission estimates.

A separate study conducted by DairyNZ (Hamilton) evaluated the behaviour of grazing dairy cows in early lactation in the presence of the GreenFeed units on a working farm. This study elucidated operational requirements,

especially with regard to managing animal access to the units and the movement of the Greenfeed system between paddocks. This study showed that:• Significant pasture damage was observed

around the GreenFeed units • Two types of chute were evaluated – to limit

only one animal accessing the GreenFeed system at a time. The ‘sted chute’ required less physical work than the ‘gate chute’

• Some cows required training in order to visit the GreenFeed units

• There was no preference for either grain-based or lucerne-based pellet feed.

Results from these preliminary studies suggest that the GreenFeed system shows considerable promise as an automated method for obtaining CH4 emissions from a herd of lactating cattle managed on a typical dairy farm in New Zealand, but that it is not currently reliable enough to estimate emissions from individual animals. The reasons for the greater variance observed using the Greenfeed system are not clear, but may have been affected by the low intakes and rapid feed consumption in the experimental comparison.

Further studies are required to evaluate and improve the accuracy of the GreenFeed system, in particular sensitivity to changes in feeding regimes, the effect of herd size, number and length of visits and duration of the measurement period all need to be assessed. Governments in Australia (through Roger Hegarty at University of New England) and the UK (through Chris Reynolds at the University of Reading), are just funding GreenFeed studies to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the system under the range of conditions faced by grazing animals in these countries. Any future work in New Zealand will link with these projects.

A brief summary of the New Zealand trials is available on the LRG website.

For further information or a copy of the full report contact Dr Cesar Pinares (cesar.pinares@agresearch.co.nz) or Dr Garry Waghorn (gary.waghorn@dairynz.co.nz)

The Manure Management NetworkThe first MMN meeting was held in Rome from 3-4th September. Sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands and hosted by the FAO at their headquarters, the meeting attracted participants from 12 countries. The participants at the meeting discussed and agreed the following priorities for the Network.1. To develop common guidelines for

measuring emissions around manure management (total manure chain)

2. Link external communication to food security; joint messaging to policy much more further than only reducing GHG emissions; activities of MMG have added value in terms of food security instead of food scarcity and high food prices because of the harvest uncertainty as a result of climate change

3. Apply system approach; both in relation to the whole manure chain but also in relation to GHG emissions as part of N- and C cycle and recovery of other nutrients from manure

In addition, the participants discussed and agreed a number of actions for the coming year:

1. Develop a best practice guide to measure emissions from manure in all stages of the manure chain (start with project description lead by Matt Smith, USA)

2. Make a position paper and leaflet to be used for external communication dealing with goals, role, position/boundaries etc. (start with set up by Theun Vellinga, NL)

Make a shopping list on practical mitigation options for farmers and policy; a kind of user guide building on such a guide in the UK and other countries; showing best practices of mitigation options that should have an economic evaluation (start with set up by Dave Chadwick, UK). For more information about the MMN please contact Paul Vriesekoop (Paul.Vriesekoop@wur.nl).

Animal Selection, Genetics and Genomics NetworkForty two delegates from 12 countries attended the first meeting of the ASGGN in Cairns, Australia (late July). The meeting was a great success. While ensuring that topics such as governance, membership and management were discussed, the meeting also focused

heavily on science. Two particular topics were hotly debated. 1) Phenotyping protocols while measuring feed intake and methane to develop a common set of principles for sharing of data and genetic parameters for Feed Intake and Methane Output (and their correlations with other traits) that are comparable across international borders; 2) The role of GWAS (Genome Wide Association Studies) for assisting with delivery of breeding solutions for hard to measure traits (including methane and feed intake) – a possible international project was discussed. For further information about the Network contact Grant Shackell (grant.shackell@agresearch.co.nz)

Rumen Microbial Genomics NetworkHeld at Centre Diocésain, 133 Avenue République, Clermont-Ferrand, France.

The second RMG Network meeting was held on 21st June 2012 after the INRA-Rowett Symposium on Gut Microbiology. The meeting was attended by over 40 people representing 12 countries and was hosted by Dr Diego Morgavi and colleagues from INRA.

Updates from the Networks

The key points of discussion at the meeting included:• An update on the development of the Network

since the first meeting in Palmerston North in February 2011

• An exchange of ideas about the RMG Network structure and the goals and aspirations associated with the Network and how it will function going forward

• An update about the Network underpinning projects funded by the New Zealand Government in support of the Alliance

• Consideration of any new ideas presented for collaborative projects that fulfill the goals and aspirations of the RMG Network.

A full meeting report with a detailed work plan for the Network is available from Adrian Cookson – the Network Coordinator (Adrian.cookson@agresearch.co.nz)

The RMG network website is now developed and anyone interested in being a member of the Network is encouraged to visit the website for further details www.rmg.org.nz

The Feed and Nutrition Network: The Network and Database on ‘Feed and Nutrition in Relation to Greenhouse Gas Emissions’, an activity of the Livestock Research Group within the Global Research Alliance.

The Feed and Nutrition Network (FNN), launched and approved in 2011 in Amsterdam, held its start-up workshop* on September 1-3, 2012 in Zurich, with representatives from 14 out of the 23 countries participating in FNN. The network, currently led by Switzerland and the Netherlands, decided to propose a name change to ‘Network on Feed and Nutrition in Relation to Greenhouse Gas Emissions’.

The FNN will first focus on summarizing and evaluating the available data on mitigating GHG emissions of ruminants by nutritional means and to develop sound recommendations for stakeholders. Identifying gaps in knowledge and avoiding duplication in research were background information on the FNN and a statement on the importance of the network on an appropriate section of the LRG’s

homepage. Partners within the GRA will be asked for their interest in future collaboration with respect to a database on GHG mitigation options by nutritional means. This could comprise regular updating or extension of existing databases with new articles and selected grey literature, data on N balance etc. The potential for harmonizing FNN- and IPPC-related activities will be assessed. Best practices lists to be used for conducting and assessing in vitro and in vivo experiments will be developed and possibly extended later by critical reviews on interpretation of feed data and recommendations concerning detailed feed characterization. Goals and activities of the FNN will be subject to further discussion at the 2nd FNN meeting in Dublin in June 2013 (satellite meeting to 5th GGAA conference).

* The start-up workshop had been prepared and organized by Michael Kreuzer and Johanna Zeitz (Switzerland), André Bannink and Jan Dijkstra (the Netherlands), and benefitted from inputs made by Andy Reisinger (New Zealand).

The first LEARN Technician’s arrive in Palmerston North

Tran and Omar in the New Zealand Ruminant Methane Measurement Centre, AgResearch, Palmerston North, New Zealand

The LEARN Technician Award was launched in mid 2011 by the New Zealand Government in support of the goals of the Alliance. As the first recipients of the award, Tran and Omar are being provided with an opportunity to build their capability in the techniques of measuring enteric methane emissions from ruminant livestock. The programme for their 6-month visit includes:• Familiarisation with the respiration

chambers, including the structure, operation, monitoring and measuring of gaseous emissions;

• A full understanding of the SF6 tracer technology, including permeation tube manufacture and troubleshooting of field and laboratory problems;

• Familiarisation with the principles and application of the Greenfeed method for measuring methane emissions from cattle in the field.

Tran has been a technician for more than 20 years and has a Master’s degree in Tropical Agriculture Production from Larenstein University, in the Netherlands. Livestock play a crucial role in the economy of Vietnam and over 70% of the population make their living from agricultural activities. Tran works in the animal production team at the NIAS and focuses on the nutrition of cattle with a specific interest in how to improve the nutrition of cattle to reduce GHG emissions intensity. Tran hopes his experience at AgResearch will enable him to contribute to the development of research projects on mitigation of GHG emission caused by livestock farming in Vietnam. Tran also will be working to improve his English language while in New Zealand, which he says will enable him to further build international collaborations upon his return to Vietnam.

Omar is an early career scientist at INIFAP in the area of ruminant nutrition, with a Master of Science from Cornell University. Mexico has an excess of 32 million cattle but little is known about GHG emissions from grazed livestock, in particular, enteric methane emissions. Mexico’s livestock inventory currently uses a Tier 1 approach and he hopes that his experience in New Zealand will enable him to make the first steps to develop a more realistic emissions dataset for the livestock production systems in his country. He believes this opportunity will build his research capability on techniques of measurement of methane emission from livestock and enhance skills on data interpretation and allied techniques such as feed intake measurement and estimation from grazing livestock.

Mr Tran Quoc Tuan from the National Institute of Animal Sciences (NIAS) in Hanoi, Vietnam and Mr Omar Cristobal Carballo from the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forstales, Agricolas y Pecuaris (INIFAP), Mexico both arrived in New Zealand during September. Tran and Omar will be in New Zealand for 6 months working with ruminant livestock specialist Dr Cesar Pinares-Patino and his team at AgResearch, Palmerston North.

PurposeThe LEARN Technician Award will provide funds for a Technician from a developing country to travel to a New Zealand research organisation to receive training on equipment, tools or methods that when applied in their home organisation/country will improve the measurement of and understanding of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. The award aims to build capacity amongst Technicians to facilitate their future or ongoing participation in research, development and extension activities or programmes directly related to the mitigation of livestock greenhouse gas emissions. The Award will fund a technician from a developing country to travel and live/work in New Zealand to acquire skills in new/unfamiliar techniques and methods in livestock GHG emissions mitigation for up to 6 months.

Eligibility The Technician Award is open to technicians from developing countries who are members of the LEARN network. To be eligible, you must:• Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent tertiary

qualification or be a technician with at least 5 years work experience

• Be a registered member of the LEARN network• Work in collaboration with a New Zealand research

organisation• Be resident and normally employed on a permanent

contract by a research organisation in a developing country as defined by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD (DAC) list of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) recipients. The list is available online via this link

• Satisfy New Zealand Government requirements for international entry into New Zealand

• Be able to speak and understand English to a level sufficient that you can understand technical concepts that will be explained in English.

FundingThe visit must be between 6 weeks and 6 months duration and be completed within one year of the Technician’s Award having been granted.• Up to NZ$17,000 for 6 months (pro rata for less than

6 months) will be provided to recipients to cover living expenses only (i.e. not the recipient’s salary)

• Up to NZ$3,000 will be provided for an economy airfare and travel/medical insurance.

For more details refer to the LEARN Website: www.livestockemissions.net or email the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre: enquiry@nzagrc.org.nz

LEARN Technician Award

The effectiveness of rice bran in reducing enteric methane emissions has been the subject of a research project towards a Master of Science in Agriculture degree for Mr Hien Le Van.

Hien, formerly of the Lai Chau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam has spent the last two years at the University of New England (Australia) upgrading his skills. He is currently completing his studies with an in-vitro incubation of roughage in the presence or absence of rice bran.

Rice bran is expected to increase ruminal proprionate and lower methane emission per DMI. The study, using a recently acquired RUSITEC artificial rumen, showed rice bran to

be effective in reducing the acetate:propionate ratio in the incubation and causing a reduction in methane production (P=0.05).

The study builds on recent findings by Miranda Pen, of Cambodia during his studies of strategic and locally sourced feed supplements to improve feed utilisation at the University of New England.

Prof. Hegarty says that he is encouraged to see the students from South East Asia working with technologies that can readily find a place in their own production systems, and he sees such exchange opportunities as a key advantage of the connections facilitated by the Livestock Research Group. For further details contact roger.hegarty@une.edu.au

The LRG is always keen to hear about and share innovative technologies being used in Alliance member countries. One such piece of technology is the indirect calorimeter with a ventilated hood, constructed at Khon Kaen Animal Nutrition Research and Development Center, Khon Kaen, Thailand. First developed in 2005, after the Japanese ‘face mask system’ was found to be unsuitable for the climatic and feeding conditions particular to Thailand, the Hood

eating; it is less stressful for the cattle than more restrictive measurement approaches. Tests conducted to date suggest that the ventilated hood respiration calorimeter is useful for the in vivo measurement of methane production and energy partition in ruminants.

For more information about the ventilated hood, contact Nishida Takehiro (nishtake@obihiro.ac.jp).

is used to estimate the energy balance in the cattle. The Hood is a respiration trial system using a ventilated flow-through method and comprises five components: (a) a digestion trial pen, (b) head cage, (c) gas sampling and analysis unit, (d) behaviour monitoring unit, and (e) data acquisition and processing unit.

The ventilated hood system allows gas exchange measurements to be conducted during the day and even while the cattle are

Practical methane mitigation for Vietnam

Hien Le Van in the laboratory at the University of New England, Australia

The ventilated cattle hood in Khon Kaen, Thailand

Innovative Technology: the Thai inspired ventilated hood

Focus areas•Methaneemissionsfromlivestockandlivestockwastes•Nitrousoxideemissionsfromlivestockwastes• Enhancementofpastoralsoilcarbonsinks• Integratedwhole farmingsystems impactsatallscalesas they relate to livestock emissions. •Nationalinventorydevelopmentasitrelatestolivestockemissions.

EligibilityTo be eligible, you must: • Have a PhD or be a scientist with at least 5 years experience

participating in/leading major projects that align to the priorities of LEARN, the Alliance or other relevant national strategies

• Demonstrateimpactandleadershipinyourprofessionalfield•Beabletocontributetoscientificresearchanditsapplicationin

your home region and the larger Alliance network, based on your networking record

•WorkincollaborationwithaNewZealandresearchorganisation•Beresidentandnormallyemployedonapermanentcontractbya

research organisation in an Alliance member country.

FundingThe exchange must be between 6 weeks and 6 months duration. •Upto$30,000for6months(prorataforlessthan6months)will

be provided to recipients to cover actual and reasonable living expenses

•Up to $5,000will be provided for economy airfares and travel/medical insurance

•Upto$5,000willbeawardedforassociatedresearchcosts.

For more details refer to the LEARN Website: www.livestockemissions.net or email the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre: enquiry@nzagrc.org.nz

The New Zealand Government in support of the goals of the Global Research Alliance is funding senior scientists from Alliance member countries to participate in an exchange programme to enhance collaboration and the building of mutually beneficial research partnerships between New Zealand and other Global Research Alliance countries.

Global Research Alliance Senior Scientist (GRASS) Award Supporting research in Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Call for One-page

Summaries Now OpenYou are invited to submit a one-page summary for review by the Scientific Committee. An example and template for the summary are available to download on the Greenhouse Gases & Animal Agriculture website. Format and content guidelines are also available, along with a checklist for review. We strongly advise you to study this carefully before you start preparing your submission.

Summary Submission Deadline: Friday 18th January 2013

Note, summaries will be published in the Cambridge University Press series ‘Advances in Animal Biosciences’ and must be suitable for use as a scientific reference. Submission of a summary is deemed a commitment to present the paper.

The Scientific Committee will review all summaries submitted and contact you regarding your submission by Monday 4th March 2013.

The Scientific Programme will run from Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th June 2013, including a mix of invited and offered theatre presentations, as well as poster session presentations. Please review the preliminary scientific programme by visiting: www.ggaa2013.ie/programme.html

Important datesSummary Submission Deadline: Friday 18th January 2013Summary Submission Notifications: Monday 4th March 2013Early Registration: Monday 3rd December 2012 Late Registration: Friday 5th April 2013

Contact detailsDr Richard DewhurstEmail: Richard.Dewhurst@teagasc.ieTel: +353 (0)46 902 6710Web: www.ggaa2013.ie