Research advances in reducing methane emissions with feed additives
The additives were tested in indoor beef systems but have the potential for use in pasture-based systems, according to researchers.
New scientific advancements in feed additives to reduce livestock methane have been made.
The additives were tested in indoor beef systems but have the potential for use in pasture-based systems, according to researchers.
The research also demonstrated significant potential for slurry additives to inhibit and reduce emissions from manure storage.
The findings come from the project ‘Meth-Abate’ which is supported by over €1.2m in funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland.
The research is led by Professor Sinead Waters in Teagasc and Professor Vincent O’Flaherty in University of Galway, with Northern Irish partners Queen’s University Belfast and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
The project, which began in 2019, has demonstrated that a new ruminant feed additive can reduce methane emissions by 28% in indoor systems in beef cattle.
The research is now progressing to further validate this and to investigate the potential for it to be formulated in pellet form or as a bolus for longer-lasting effects to facilitate application in pasture-based production systems.
The project has also shown a 30% reduction of indoor methane emissions in growing beef cattle offered a forage-based diet with the inclusion of the dietary supplementation 3-NOP, and an over 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from long-term storage of liquid manures and slurries using a new oxidising slurry additive.
Further research and demonstration trials are ongoing to test its use in Irish systems.
Commenting on these scientific advancements, Minister for Agriculture McConalogue said the research is very welcome.
"We know that methane accounts for the majority of Ireland's agricultural greenhouse gases, mainly from livestock but also stored slurries and manures. We also know the importance of our ruminant farming sector to the economy and to rural Ireland," he said.
"Further research, funded by my department, is underway to move this technology from being successful in an indoor system to being successful and utilisable in our world-renowned outdoor pasture-based system."
The announcement comes ahead of the upcoming Agriculture and Climate Change – Science into Action conference on November 15 in the Aviva Stadium.
