Feeding efficiency of sheep as a strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions

Abstract

Climate change is a very relevant and worrying topic today and is present in the agendas of different spheres of society. High concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are released into the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise. In agricultural production, methane (CH4) is considered one of the highest GHG emissions, causing a negative impact on natural resources and accelerating climate change. In the coming years, with the increase in the world population, food production should be implemented in self-sufficient, quality, and sustainable production systems to meet the need for high consumption. The reduction in CH4 production is related to the better efficiency of energy use of the feed by the animals; therefore, the knowledge of the ruminal fermentation parameters, identification of the ruminal microbiota, and selection of more efficient animals, with lower consumption and greater weight gain, in addition to producing less GHGs like CH4, have a less negative impact on the environment and are economically viable. This review presents some aspects of selection for feed efficiency in sheep as a strategy to mitigate GHG emission and some techniques for measuring these gases.