Greenhouse gases and the animal industries

The awareness of greenhouse gases and global warming are relative recent issues and there is still much uncertainty, debate and misunderstanding as to their overall importance. The issues are extremely complex and currently there is lack of knowledge as to all factors involved and their relative importance. Domestic livestock have been implemented as significant components from several points of view ranging from land clearance, intensive land-use practices, enteric fermentation, to waste disposal practices. Clearly, we need more research and understanding of factor involved and documentation of their relative importance. Until this information is available, care and attention must be take to ensure fanning practices do not contribute unnecessarily to any imbalance in the carbon equations and cause a build up of greenhouse gases. Increasing demands from growing human populations and consumerism are putting pressures on agriculture for increased production and thus challenge livestock producers and scientists to develop sustainable practices which minimize possible harmful effects on the environment.