BEEF CATTLE ENERGY USE. The focus of our research is to examine the use of dietary energy in the beef animal. This includes examination of the variation in maintenance energy expenditures and losses due to the fermentation occurring in the rumen. With up to 70% of total herd metabolizable energy intake going to maintenance functions, it is important to understand and examine the constituents of maintenance on a whole animal and cellular level and the relationship of these metabolic costs to animal productivity. Selection of adaptable cattle will reduce the cost of production. RUMINANTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. Environmental issues are of increasing concern to the cattle industry. Our goal is to generate scientifically based information about air quality and ruminant production. Recent projects include the development of a measurement-based methane inventory and efforts to find economically sound mitigation options for cattle producers. Ammonia emissions is a new area in which cattle producers will likely be faced with regulation. We have developed a technique by which ammonia emissions may be measured and are now looking at mitigation stategies.
