Abstract |
The total methane emission from ruminants in Sweden 1992 is estimated to 156 ktons, to which should be added 5 ktons from manures. For year 2000, the emission is estimated to be 140 ktons, due to a reduction of the number of milk cows and wild ruminants, and to higher efficiency of the cattle. It is possible to reduce these emission further by 8-10 per cent, by changing the composition of the animal population. Changes of the feed will only give marginal reductions. A change to more extensive livestock farming will lead to higher methane emissions. The relation between methane production and food production must be observed. While milk cows are responsible for half the emissions, they are at the same time the most effective, expressed in weight unit food/unit methane. Estimates of methane emission are also given for wild ruminants like deer, moose and reindeer. (17 refs., 14 tabs.) |