Study confirms: Farm animals in Germany emit less methane than before

Study confirms: Farm animals in Germany emit less methane than before

Jana Dahlke, AGRARHEUTE*

© stock.adobe.com/Sina Ettmer

Researchers believe that it is possible to further reduce methane emissions in cattle.

Scientists compared methane emissions from farm animals at the end of the 19^e century with current values.

There are already many studies and publications on current methane emissions from farm animals. We know little regarding the situation in the 19^e century, where the onset of global warming is already demonstrable according to scientists. The two scientists Dr Björn Kuhla and Dr Gunther Viereck from theInstitute for Research on the Biology of Livestock Animals (FBN – Research Institute for Livestock Biology) took the opportunity to compare methane emissions from agricultural livestock at the end of the 19^e century with current values.

« We have analyzed data from cattle censuses carried out throughout Germany in 1872, 1883 and 1892. From the body weights, we were able to calculate food consumption. In other sources we have found information on the diet and production of meat and milk in the 19^e century. Using this information, it was possible to calculate methane emissions using standardized estimating equations. Territorial changes since the establishment of the German Empire in 1871 have also been taken into account », I explained M. Kuhla. « We have thus noted with astonishment that methane emissions from the digestion of farm animals in Germany have been lower since 2003 than in 1892. Our study shows that the climate objectives targeted by the federal government in the field of livestock farming are close at hand. »

Annual methane emissions from livestock farming amounted to 898,000 tonnes in 1883 and no less than 1,060,000 tonnes in 1892. The emission target of 853,000 tonnes for 2030 is therefore 207,000 tonnes lower than the emission level of 1892. Since 2003, cattle in Germany have been emitting even less methane than in 1892. Between 1990 and 2021, methane emissions from the digestion of farm animals have fallen by 390,000 tons to 930,000 tons.

Fewer methane emissions: the current herd is smaller than it was more than 100 years ago

The two researchers see a reason for this in the sharp decline in the number of cattle, sheep and goats. Although the population of the territory of present-day Germany, which was around 34 million at the time, has increased considerably over the past 130 years to 84 million, the increase in productivity livestock and livestock efficiency have enabled them to sustain themselves with fewer animals, which has been accompanied by lower methane emissions.

Thus, in 1892, the statistics reported a total of 12.45 million ” cows and other cattle », 8.93 million sheep, 2.53 million goats and 2.33 million horses. Currently, Germany has 11 million cattle, 1.5 million sheep, 140,000 goats and 1.3 million horses (source: bmel-Statistik.de and AWA-analyse).

How can Germany achieve its emissions targets?

The researchers of FBN see solution approaches for a further successful reduction of methane emissions especially in pig farming. Admittedly, pigs produce relatively little methane, but on the other hand, one in five pigs in Germany is not needed to feed the population. A 20 percent reduction in the workforce would save 5,000 tonnes of methane per year. Added to this would be savings of several thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide – also a harmful greenhouse gas – linked to the importation of soy foods. Since soy is also suitable for human consumption, a reduction in its use as animal feed would reduce competition between trough and plate.

There are also opportunities to reduce methane emissions in cattle. In Germany, the milk self-sufficiency rate is 112 percent. According to the researchers, a reduction in the herd would not endanger food security and would not call into question dietary habits. Similarly, feeding biomass available at the regional level, which is not suitable for human food, would reduce emissions by eliminating fodder imports, without competing with human food.

To learn more regarding this study, click ici.

_______________

* Jana Dahlke (formerly Semenow) works at AGRARHEUTE as a cross-media editor in the breeding section.

Source : Study confirms: farm animals in Germany emit less methane | agrarheute.com

My grade : The first part of the article is interesting.

The second is undoubtedly heartbreaking. Does the government have a goal? He forgets – or does not know – that the methane from livestock is part of a cycle. This cycle has been noted in comments.

We might… Certainly, but reducing the production of pigs or milk is likely to lead to an increase in production elsewhere, to meet demand, so that the result obtained would be a relocation of emissions. But what does it matter… isn’t the objective to pass for a good student?

Equally problematic, at least potentially, is the idea of ​​producing protein (soy) domestically. Would there be a climate benefit linked to the reduction of intercontinental transport? Nothing is less sure first considering all the data. What would be the carbon balance of soybean production in a favorable environment in Latin America and wheat production for export in Germany compared to the balance of soybean production in a less favorable environment in Germany and, possibly, a increased wheat production in Latin America for export to another continent?