Different compounds can reduce the methane generated in a cow’s gut.
Two researchers in the College of Food, Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University are studying how to cut methane gas produced by cows and reduce the phosphorus and nitrogen that end up in their manure — and potentially waterways.
Zhongtang Yu, a molecular biologist in CFAES, is working to reduce the amount of methane cattle give off by improving their digestion.
Another CFAES researcher, Chanhee Lee, an assistant professor of animal sciences, is focusing on reducing cow waste — both solids and gases. In his studies, Lee tests the effectiveness of adding chemical or biological substances to cow feed to reduce the methane they produce. He also puts additives in manure to lessen the nitrogen and phosphorus in it, thus reducing the odds of those compounds seeping into surface water.
Reducing the methane gas cattle generate not only cuts greenhouse gas emissions but potentially allows more of the feed cattle consume to be directed to their body and production. That can lead to larger, stronger cows and steers, more milk and beef, Yu said.
“Methane is bad because not only is it a greenhouse gas, but it’s a waste of feed,” Yu said.
Between 4% and 12% of the feed cattle eat is wasted through the methane gas they produce, he said.
Yu’s current research examines how natural compounds can reduce the number of protozoa in a cow’s stomach, thus decreasing the amount of methane and nitrogen a cow expels. Any protein that cattle eat that’s not used by their bodies comes out in their urine and manure in the form of nitrogen. Almost half the nitrogen in their urine and manure turns into ammonia gas, a toxic, potentially explosive gas, although not a greenhouse gas.
Different compounds can reduce the methane generated in a cow’s gut. Antibiotics are among them, but consumers sometimes steer away from buying beef that’s been given antibiotics, so Yu opted for testing compounds from natural sources. He’s found that essential oils, including garlic, rosemary and oregano oils, as well as saponins and tannins, are effective in reducing the amount of methane cattle give off in their gas and burps. Saponins are compounds found in some vegetables, beans and herbs. Tannins are bitter-tasting organic substances derived from some plants.
The essential oils, saponins and tannins reduce methane production by decreasing the numbers and activity of protozoa and methane-producing microorganisms in cattle’s guts. The protozoa don’t produce methane, but they help the methane producers that do, microorganisms called methanogens.
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