On December 17, 2020, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will host an online research seminar, presented by Dr. Ermias Kebreab, summarizing the findings of his recently completed study analyzing different strategies the dairy and livestock sectors may utilize to reduce methane (CH4) emissions from enteric and manure sources.  During the study, Dr. Kebreab conducted a literature review of available mitigation strategies using feed additives to help reduce enteric and manure methane emissions and used statistical analysis and life-cycle tools to estimate net greenhouse gas emissions from using potential feed additives in the dairy industry.  While only one additive, 1-nitropropanol (3-NOP), was found to be safe and effective in reducing methane out of over 90 feed additives and 13 types of manure additives analyzed in the study, future studies are needed to analyze other promising additives such as biochar, acidification, Mootral, macroalage, and SOP lagoon additive.

Enteric fermentation and manure management within the dairy and livestock sector currently account for over 50 percent of the State’s methane emissions in recent years.  Implementing these new methane reduction strategies could collectively advance the State’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Strategy under Senate Bill 1383, which aims to reduce California’s methane emissions from the dairy and livestock sector by 40 percent below 2013 levels by 2030.

Dr. Ermias Kebreab, a professor of Animal Science and Associate Dean of Global Engagement and Director of the World Food Center at the University of California, Davis, holds the Sesnon Endowed Chair in Sustainable Agriculture and conducts research in nutrition modeling and impact of livestock on the environment.  Dr. Kebreab has also authored over 250 peer-reviewed articles and over 150 invited presentations globally.  He received several awards including Excellence in Ruminant Nutrition and International Agriculture from the American Society of Animal Science and Young Scientist Award from the Canadian Society of Animal Science.

The seminar will run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is accessible to the general public through Zoom.  Click here to access the Zoom meeting.

To read Dr. Kebreab’s entire study titled “Strategies to Reduce Methane Emissions from Enteric and Lagoon Sources,” please click here.

For additional information please contact Kyler Rayden at krayden@somachlaw.com.

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