Livestock Trial shows methane reduction in herds using health system

Early detection of health problems in dairy cows could could lead up to a 15% reduction in the methane emissions they produce, according to new research.

The work was carried out by the Agricultural Research and Education Centre (AREC) Raumberg-Gumpenstein in Austria, in conjunction with dairy innovators, smaXtec. It looked at the impact of animal health on methane emissions.

Researchers found that smaXtec’s state-of-the-art bolus technology cah help farmers detect and treat sick cows sooner.

They say this could lead to a 1015% reduction in the amount of methane emissions per kg of milk produced.

Thomas Guggenberger, head of the Institute of Livestock Research at AREC RaumbergGumpenstein, says the calculation is based on IPCC standards to meas ure the benefits of smaXtec’s health monitoring system to improve ani mal health.

Longer life

“Our calculations, which are also based on our own respiration experiments, have shown that animals with a longer useful life emit less methane per litre of milk at typical breed performance,” he adds.

“Early detection of disease and proactive health management can reduce animal losses, effectively reducing methane emissions in the dairy industry.” director at smaXtec, says the findings correlate with a report called Acting on Methane by Ruminant Health & Welfare. It shows that better animal health can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10%.

He adds: “The smaXtec system has been proven to accurately detect diseases, such as mastitis, long before clinical symptoms appear.

Lower emissions

“This study with AREC RaumbergGumpenstein shows that this not only leads to animals being treated quickly, litre of milk they produce.”

Mr Howarth claims methane emissions from cattle are not comparable to emissions from fossil fuels because cow methane is converted back to carbon dioxide after about 12 years. However, despite this natural recycling process, reducing emissions will help farmers meet government targets.

“This study shows that our advanced system can lead to healthier cows and help farmers reduce the total methane emissions from their herds effectively and quickly – something that’s good for both the climate and wider dairy industry.”

Make Defra funding work harder for your flock

Sheep farmers can make the most of funding from the Defra Animal Health & Welfare Pathway by optimising the timing of their worming treatment check.

Eligible livestock farmers can currently access £436 funding for a vet-led health and welfare review and a worming check, says the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Group.

Effective treatment

While the vet review should focus on issues most appropriate for an individual flock –whether lameness, fertility or other diseases – the worming check is designed specifically to determine the effectiveness of an anthelmintic treatment.

Independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings says: “The check is not a definitive test for anthelmintic resistance, but it does start you on a path to understanding which wormer groups are working effectively on your farm.

“By putting a little thought and preparatory work into when you carry out this test, you can make it a really useful start to understanding how to make the most of any worming treatments.”

Eligible farmers have just six months from the point of registration to complete the worming check.

But it should only be carried out on lambs that need to be treated because their worm burden is high enough.

Ideally, this means carrying out a faecal egg count (FEC) before starting the worming check to ensure timing is optimal.

“You cannot check the effectiveness of a treatment at killing adult worms if there are not enough worms present in the first place.”

The check consists of two egg counts. One is taken at treatment time to assess the adult roundworms present in the lambs. A second check is taken 7-14 days after treatment.

The difference determines how effective the treatment has been at killing the worms in the sheep.

Participating farmers will receive a sampling kit, instructions explaining how to take good samples and packaging with pre-paid postage back to the laboratory.

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Royal Three Counties Show 2023 set to host bumper livestock line-up and farming celebs

The Royal Three Counties Show, one of the UK’s largest and most esteemed agricultural events celebrating the countryside and rural life, returns to Three Counties Showground from 16-18 June 2023 with an outstanding agricultural programme.

As one of England’s biggest livestock and equine shows, more than 6,000 animals will feature, with the crowning of cattle, sheep, goat and pig champions across 900 classes, over 50 rare and minority breeds (the UK's largest collection) and 15 national breed shows.

Well-known rural TV presenter and rare and minority breeds farmer, Adam Henson, will return as show ambassador to inspire visitors in the Farming Village, while the Future of Farming Zone will welcome returning Clarkson’s Farm funnyman, author and cider connoisseur, Kaleb Cooper, on Saturday 17 June.

Tickets are on sale now, costing just £23 in advance and children under 16 are free of charge. To see the full programme and book tickets visit www. royalthreecounties.co.uk or call 01684 584 924.