Feeding Biochar to Cattle May Help Lock Carbon in Soil and Cut Agricultural Emissions

Researchers have found that most biochar fed to dairy cows survives the digestive process and remains highly stable, meaning it could be applied to fields through manure and act as a long-term carbon storage solution. The findings provide new evidence that livestock systems could play a role in climate change mitigation.

The study, recently published in Biochar, investigated what happens to biochar after it passes through the digestive system of cattle. Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced when biomass such as wood or crop residues is heated under low-oxygen conditions. It has been widely studied for its ability to improve soil quality and store carbon in soils for extended periods.

Agriculture is responsible for a substantial share of global greenhouse gas emissions, and scientists are searching for innovative ways to reduce this impact while maintaining productivity. Feeding biochar to livestock has attracted increasing attention because it may simultaneously improve animal performance and enhance soil carbon storage.

“Our research shows that feeding biochar to cattle can create a cascading environmental benefit,” said the study authors. “The biochar not only passes through the animal largely intact but also remains chemically stable, making it well suited for long-term carbon sequestration when returned to soil through manure.”