Balancing methane mitigation with the economic, and social aspects of sustainable livestock production with Sara Place, AgNext at Colorado State University ASH CLOUD

The climate impact of animal agriculture is only one of the aspects that needs to be addressed for sustainable productions systems. The importance and urgency to mitigate methane emissions must be integrated with the social and economic aspects of livestock production and the other environmental issues such as nutrient management and biodiversity. 

The current state of our food systems are the result of decades and even centuries of the choices people have made which will take time to change. When it comes to global warming methane is the emergency brake that can limit temperature rises in the short term. Methane from livestock is one of the global methane sources and a key focus of Sara Place’s work.

Over the last 12 months her team has collected and analysed samples from over 900 animals. This research showed over 30% variation in emissions from similar animals under similar conditions, the cause of which is yet to be understood. This huge variation is an opportunity to use selecting breeding to permanently lower livestock emission. However, to achieve this there will need to be a vast increase in the numbers of animals monitored.

Sara Place  is an expert in livestock systems sustainability for AgNext at Colorado State University where she brings where she combines her methane mitigation work with her experience in all aspects of livestock sustainability across academia, industry associations, and private industry. I recently caught up with Sara to discuss his work. You can listen to the conversation here.

AgNext at Colorado State University is wholly focused on researching, teaching and communicating their work on sustainable animal agriculture.