The mechanisms involved in the digestive process of the rumen are complex, and are accomplished by a diverse and dynamic group of microbes. Microbial diversity in the rumen has been predicted to enhance the resistance of the network of metabolic pathways by increasing the number of genes encoding...

Mitigation of methane (CH₄) emissions from ruminants is necessary not only from the global warming point of view but also for saving dietary energy. Livestock being the significant contributors to the anthropogenic CH₄ pool have remained the prime target of global research for the past two decades, ...

This 395-paged-book aims to raise awareness among scientists, academics, students, livestock farmers and policy makers of the twin inter-related and inter-dependent complex mechanisms of livestock rearing and climate change. The contents are divided into sections: one on livestock production, one...

This chapter discussed briefly the current economic status and trends with regards to livestock production and highlights the inter-dependence of livestock production and climate change as well as the impact of climate change to the livestock sector.

1% per annum. To stabilize this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, global CH₄ production needs to be reduced by 10-20%. Ruminants fed on low-quality feed/fodder produce over 75% of the CH₄ generated by ruminants worldwide. Strategic supplementation to improve digestive efficiency in these animals...

The livestock sector accounts for 40% of the world's agriculture gross domestic product (GDP). It employs 1.3 billion people and creates livelihoods for 1 billion of the population living in poverty. Climate change is seen as a major threat to the survival of many species and ecosystems, and the...

Livestock manure traditionally has been considered and used as a valuable resource by farmers to improve crop production. Livestock manure is rich in nutrients (nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) and thus has been land applied to enrich soils. But land application of manure nutrients in excess of...

The degradation of plant cell walls by ruminants is of major economic importance in the developed as well as the developing world. Rumen fermentation and degradation of cell wall relies on the cooperation between the microorganisms that produce fibrolytic enzymes and the host animal, which provides ...

Animal production contributes substantially to global greenhouse gas emissions (about 14.5%). So-called carbon footprints (CFs) consider the greenhouse gas potential of climate-relevant gases (e.g. CO₂ × 1; CH₄ × 23; N₂O × 296), which is given in carbon dioxide (CO₂)-equivalent g^-1 or kg^-1 of...

The effect of changing climate will not only be confined to limited production, and the productivity of agricultural commodities, but will also have far-reaching consequences on dairy, meat, wool and other animal products. The impact of climate change on the livestock sector as a whole will be felt ...