Overview of the Methane Prediction Module in the AusBeef Rumen Model

Abstract

Improved livestock nutrition modelling can enable better description and prediction of the physiological and environmental effects of specific production processes, thereby improving productivity and efficiency. Although there are several models of livestock methane emissions (e.g., Ellis et al.2007) few mechanistic whole-animal models exist. The AusBeef rumen model, initially proposed and developed by Nagorcka and Zurcher (2002), is one of the few whole-animal dynamic and mechanistic models that can be used to predict both productivity and enteric fermentation from ruminants.