University of Florida researchers are testing a new type of cattle feed that could help dairy cows release less methane gas from burps and flatulence and use nutrients more efficiently.
University of Florida researchers are testing a new type of cattle feed that could help dairy cows release less methane gas from burps and flatulence and use nutrients more efficiently. Because methane traps heat in the atmosphere, reducing these emissions could make dairy farming more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Researchers, led by Antonio Faciola, looked at a potential dairy cattle supplementary feed made of flaxseed and pea protein. The study was published this month in the Journal of Dairy Science.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is naturally emitted by cows during digestion, and cows are significant sources of methane worldwide, especially from their burps. When cows’ stomachs make methane, they lose valuable energy that could otherwise be used to make milk or meat. By feeding them in a way that reduces methane output, researchers might be able to help the cow produce more milk while also chasing climate goals.
“It’s a win-win situation. Every time we reduce methane, we keep that energy in the cow’s body,” said Faciola, associate professor at UF’s Department of Animal Sciences.
Read more at University of Florida
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