In the face of global climate change concerns, and its profound implications for the environment, agriculture stands at the forefront of discussions surrounding emissions reduction. Nearly 100 countries have taken the Global Methane Pledge to lower methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
Livestock farming – primarily cows – being a major share of global food production, has garnered particular attention due to its contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. Cows contribute to 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the majority of which is in the form of methane.
Since methane is basically a byproduct of how some livestock process food, the animal feed industry needs to find and integrate more sustainable feed supplements.
These supplements comprise a diverse range of additives and compounds. By optimizing nutrient utilization and mitigating methane emissions, feed supplements represent a critical tool in the pursuit of sustainable agriculture.
Before we take a look at how stakeholders across the world are addressing the methane challenge, we need to understand what are supplements in animal feed and how are supplements given to animals.
What are Supplements in Animal Feed?
Supplements in animal feed refer to additional substances or nutrients that are included in an animal’s diet to provide essential nutrients that may be lacking in their regular feed. These supplements are designed to improve the overall health, growth, reproduction, and performance of the animals.
There are several types of supplements commonly used in animal feed such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, probiotics and prebiotics, enzymes, etc.
How Are Supplements Given to Animals?
Feed supplements can be given in different forms including liquid, powder, or pellet. They can be mixed directly into the animal’s regular feed, dissolving in water or direct oral administration.
The quantity of feed supplements varies according to the livestock’s age and nutritional requirements. However, the advantages of feed supplements remain the same.
Benefits of Feed Supplements
Improved Digestibility: Certain feed supplements can enhance the digestibility of animal feed. When animals extract more nutrients from their feed, they can convert it into meat, milk, or other products more effectively.
Methane Mitigation: Livestock produce methane during digestion. Feed additives like certain types of seaweed have shown promise in reducing methane emissions.
Nutritional Balancing: Animals need to get the right balance of nutrients in their diet for their overall health and growth. This can speed up their growth rates and result in better feed conversion ratios.
Reducing Nitrogen Emissions: Some feed supplements can modify the way nitrogen is metabolized in the animal’s body, potentially reducing the amount of nitrogen excreted in manure.
Phosphorus Management: Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for animals, but excess phosphorus in animal waste can lead to water pollution. Feed supplements that improve phosphorus utilization can help reduce the environmental impact of livestock operations.
Global Case Studies
In a recent interview, Mark van Nieuwland, Vice President of the Dutch bioscience company Royal DSM, underlined that supplements can help control the enzyme that combines hydrogen and CO2 to form methane. His company has developed a methane-reducing feed supplement called Bovaer.
“Just ¼ teaspoon in a cow’s daily feed takes effect in as little as 30 minutes. As it acts, Bovaer® is safely broken down into compounds already naturally present in the rumen,” states the company on its website.
In the last eight months, the company has saved nearly 40,000 metric tonnes of CO2e under their Clean Cow project.
According to a study published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, researchers from New Zealand, Australia and the US said emissions can be reduced by 50 million tonnes every year from enteric fermentation.
The approach of reducing emissions with the help of feed supplements is straightforward, they say. Ruminants’ digestive systems comprise four compartments in the stomach. When they eat plant material, it is broken down by microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, protozoa and archaea to release protein and energy. This process is called enteric fermentation.
In India, the Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes in Haryana has been working for the last 15 years to perfect a feed supplement formula that could reduce methane generated by stock animals like cattle, goats and sheep.
During this process, the archaea combines CO2 and hydrogen made by the microbes to create methane. This means the archaeal population determines the methane amount
The feed supplement prepared by the institute targets the archaeal microbes while boosting the growth of good bacteria. The supplement is a combination of ingredients such as Indian cherry and Indian elm leaves, garlic oil, mustard oil, cottonseed oil, sodium nitrate and magnesium sulphate.
The experiment’s results showed a drop in methane emissions by 75 per cent. The calves also recorded a 9.7 per cent higher growth rate.
Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institute has also developed an anti-methanogenic feed supplement ‘Harit Dhara’. It cuts down their methane emissions by 17-20% and also leads to higher milk production.
Alexander Hristov from Penn State University is a leading researcher in cutting down methane emissions from livestock. He has been working on a synthetic feed supplement known as 3-NOP. Studies have shown that red seaweed can reduce methane by as much as 63%. However, in a few studies, the seaweed-eating cows ate less feed overall.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has given Hristov and his team a $2 million grant to study whether the red seaweed and 3-NOP supplement can be effective.
It’s important to note that while feed supplements can play a role in emissions reduction, they are just one part of a larger strategy for sustainable agriculture. Other practices, such as rotational grazing, improved manure management, and utilizing renewable energy sources, also play critical roles in reducing emissions from livestock operations.
Take, for example, Cargill. It has developed a Gold Standard-approved methodology to measure methane emissions reduction using feed supplements.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of feed supplements in emissions reduction will depend on factors like the specific type of supplement, the type of livestock, and the overall management practices of the farm.