Cattle Methane Emissions, Nitrogen Use and Fatty Acid Processing of Legumes

The objectives of project 1329 are to determine the methane emissions, fatty acid concentrations, rates of feed passage, and nitrogen partitioning in waste of cattle on three types of pasture (a grass, a tannin-containing legume, and a non-tannin legume) and on feedlot diets. We have evidence from previous studies and review of the literature linking these factors to improved economic and environmental sustainability. The objectives of project 1260 are basic research comparing the effects of rangeland, irrigated pastures and annually cropped irrigated land on rates microbial mineralization of carbon, and thus carbon sequestration.