SSCA Online Journal Preview

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By KIS Executive on June 5, 2008 11:08 AM | | Comments (0)
The Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association (SSCA) is launching its on-line journal at this year's Western Canadian Farm Progress Show (website). KIS introduced the journal in the May 22nd blog entry. This week we post the last of our previews - article summaries - from the upcoming journal. If you have not already done so, please read the May 22nd entry Juanita Polegi, SSCA Project Manager, to learn more about the Ag Tech Journal.

Article: Methods of Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions: An Overview

Authors: Karen A. Beauchemin1 and Sean M. McGinn2

Summary:About 3 to 12 % of the energy consumed by ruminants (cattle and sheep) is converted to methane in the rumen (referred to as enteric methane), which is then released into the atmosphere. Minimizing the amount of feed energy lost as methane can improve feed conversion efficiency and animal productivity. Reducing methane losses is also an environmentally sound practice. Enteric methane production can be lowered by 5 to 25% using technologies that are currently available, but these changes in management and diet add to to the cost of producing meat and milk. Farmers will not likely adopt these measures unless there are economic benefits.

1Research Scientist - Ruminant Nutrition, Lethbridge Research Centre, AAFC, 5403 - 1 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB. beauchemink@agr.gc.ca

2Research Scientist, Lethbridge Research Centre, AAFC, 5403 - 1 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB. mcginns@agr.gc.ca


Article: Agriculture as a Source of Energy: Is It Sustainable?

Authors: Lynette Keyowski1 and Murray Fulton2

Summary: Agricultural products have traditionally been used for food, feed and fibre. In the last decade, however, commodities like corn, soybeans, canola and sugarcane are increasingly being diverted into the production of energy for transportation, electricity and heating. The shift of agricultural products to fuel production is being felt in global food and feed markets.

Countries are turning to biofuels for a variety of reasons. Energy security issues, climate change concerns, and a desire for economic activity in rural economies all play a role. Governments have encouraged this shift with domestic mandates for the use of biofuels, tax incentives, import restrictions, as well as production and investment subsidies. This article examines agriculture's role as a source of energy, the impact of biofuel production on land use, and the sustainability of this activity.

1Project Coordinator, Knowledge Impact in Society, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. lynette.keyowski@usask.ca

2Professor Department of Bioresource Policy, Business and Economics, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. murray.fulton@usask.ca


This blog entry was posted by the KIS Executive. To read additional Illative Blog entries or to leave comments on this entry, please visit www.illativeblog.ca. The Illative Blog is an initiative by the Knowledge Impact in Society (KIS) Project based out of the University of Saskatchewan. Email correspondence can be sent to kis.project@usask.ca
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