"Impact of Biochar Supplementation in Finishing Diets on Greenhouse G" by J. L. Sperber, Braden C. Troyer et al.

Animal Science, Department of

 

Date of this Version

2022

Citation

2022 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding biochar in a finishing diet on cattle performance, methane and carbon dioxide emissions, and carcass characteristics. Two treatments were evaluated, a high-concentrate control diet without biochar and a diet with biochar included at 1.0% of the diet dry matter, replacing high moisture corn in the diet. Pens of cattle were rotated through a two-sided emissions barn (2 pens evaluated simultaneously) to capture CH4 and CO2 production. There were no statistical differences in gas emissions for biochar supplemented steers compared to control. There was a 2.4% decrease in dry matter intake and 5.9% decrease in average daily gain for steers supplemented biochar, resulting in lighter and leaner carcasses for biochar fed steers.

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