A new study from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has shown that feeding cattle and sheep increased quantities of maize silage, high-sugar grasses, and hull-less oats can reduce their methane production by a third, in proportion to milk and meat production.
Methane released by livestock comprises about 43% of the UK’s methane emissions therefore this research could be a boon for reducing overall agriculture-based emissions. However, scientists advise that further investigation is needed to determine the efficiencies of implementing new livestock feeding systems.
The findings also add to a growing body of evidence that the right kind of livestock farming can actually help reduce emissions and conserve the environment, for example the use of Brachiaria, a forage grass, which helps to retain soil nitrogen.
Related articles:
Brachiaria – part of a sustainable solution
CIAT & Brachiaria on Voice of America
CIAT Brief – Livestock and Climate Change
