Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock.

ABSTRACT: Methane production is lower from ruminants given diets which produce less acetate and more propionate. This means using diets higher in starch and lower in fibre. There are implications of this feeding strategy for animal health. Reducing the concentration of N in the animal's diet is likely to lead to a reduction in nitrous oxide emissions. Both methane per kg product and the percentage of dietary N which is converted into N in animal products are influenced strongly by the level of animal output. Improving feed conversion ratio and nitrogen use efficiency should result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]