Technology to reduce methane emissions from beef and dairy (article in the Guardian)

[tknilsso]

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/30/cow-methane-emissions-reduce-seaweed-kowbucha

[Blaithin]

I’ve heard of kelp maybe doing this. Don’t know if it’s one of those types of seaweed.

I’d be interested in the conversion rates of animals fed this. One would assume it can’t be that different if countries are using the product already but the article only mentions it doesn’t affect the animals appetite. The rumen microbes that produce the methane are doing it as a byproduct of digesting the food so if they’re being inhibited, is it altering the conversion rate each animal gets out of that feed? Different microbes are present for different feeds. This is why grain fed cattle actually produce less methane as the lower rumen pH support microbes that produce less methane than the higher pH of grass based diets.

Ionophores are the main players I know of that are currently used. They’re actually a tool to increase the conversion rate of animals and lower methane as well.

Seaweed could be promising as I know of some people and reports that tout it as a good option to support healthy animals. Much like, and included in, a good mineral program.