South American Livestock Ranchers Seek To Reduce Methane Emissions

Livestock ranchers in Argentina, one of the world's top meat exporters, have been pushed to join the reduction of emissions to limit global warming.

Feedlot producers have started to look into the problem of methane emission, while environmentalists warn that it won't be enough without a change in consumption patterns.

As part of their digestion, cattle release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that worsens climate change.

In order to limit the temperature rising to a maximum of 1.5-2 degrees, as set by the Paris Climate Agreement, researchers worldwide agree the livestock industry should reduce its emissions drastically.

Total emissions from global livestock per year represent 14.5 percent of all anthropogenic greenhouse emissions, and 44 percent of livestock emissions are in the form of methane, according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization.

To curb emissions, food companies have developed some additives. In September, Chile and Brazil started using one of these supplements for livestock food, aiming to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent.

In Argentina, feedlots are just beginning to look into the problem.

Fernando Storni, General Manager of the Argentine Feedlot Chamber, acknowledged the problem and warned that in the near future commercial agreements could include certain greenhouse certifications for producers.

Guillermo del Barrio, owner of El Trébol feedlot, with some 10,000 head of cattle tightly packed in various corrals, said he sees some change is coming.

However, Walter Pengue, agricultural engineer and ecology professor at General Sarmiento National University, said the feed additives and other technologies to reduce emissions are not enough.

"The consumption patterns must be changed," he said. "We need to look at what's behind the meat, that is the soil that is rapidly degrading, there is the water, which is in a tremendously serious limit."

Argentina has some 53 million head of livestock, of which almost 14 million is slaughter cattle, according to Argentina's Agriculture, Cattle raising and Fishing Ministry.