The Invading Sea
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Multimedia
  • Public opinion
  • About
No Result
View All Result
The Invading Sea
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Multimedia
  • Public opinion
  • About
No Result
View All Result
The Invading Sea
No Result
View All Result

​​Better feed, fewer burps: UF scientists target dairy gas emissions​

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is naturally emitted by cows during digestion

by Meredith Bauer
April 29, 2025
in News
0

By Meredith Bauer, UF/IFAS Communications

University of Florida researchers are testing a new type of cattle feed that could help dairy cows release less methane gas from burps and flatulence and use nutrients more efficiently. Because methane traps heat in the atmosphere, reducing these emissions could make dairy farming more environmentally friendly and sustainable. 

Researchers, led by Antonio Faciola, looked at a potential dairy cattle supplementary feed made of flaxseed and pea protein. The study was published this month in the Journal of Dairy Science. 

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is naturally emitted by cows during digestion, and cows are significant sources of methane worldwide, especially from their burps. When cows’ stomachs make methane, they lose valuable energy that could otherwise be used to make milk or meat. By feeding them in a way that reduces methane output, researchers might be able to help the cow produce more milk while also chasing climate goals. 

Cows drinking at a water trough. (Photo: UF/IFAS Tyler Jones)
Cows drinking at a water trough. (Photo: UF/IFAS Tyler Jones)

 “It’s a win-win situation. Every time we reduce methane, we keep that energy in the cow’s body,” said Faciola, associate professor at UF’s Department of Animal Sciences.  

University of Alaska research assistant professor and former UF post-doctoral student James Vinyard was critical to the study, he said. Vinyard simulated dairy cattle’s digestion in the lab to see how much methane was produced and to examine possibilities of improving that fermentation by adding a supplemental feed. 

The researchers added the flaxseed and pea protein supplement to the dairy cattle’s rumen in a lab and measured how fermentation changed. The supplement, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins, reduced methane production and improved overall digestion, he said. 

“This supplement has multiple potential benefits,” Faciola said. “Not only could it reduce methane emissions, but it might also increase energy availability for cows, potentially leading to increased milk production.” 

Future studies will include feeding the supplement to dairy cows to see if the lab results match with what happens in the field. 

With food security becoming increasingly important concerns, he emphasized the importance of feeding cows more efficiently to meet growing global demands. 

 “We will need to have cows producing more milk with the same amount of food,” he said. “We have to be more efficient to feed more people.” 

The study was funded in part by O&T Farms Ltd., a Canadian farm that produces animal supplements. 

This piece was originally published at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2025/04/22/better-feed-fewer-burps-uf-scientists-target-dairy-gas-emissions/.

Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter by visiting here. To support The Invading Sea, click here to make a donation. If you are interested in submitting an opinion piece to The Invading Sea, email Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu. To learn more about how cows contribute to climate change, watch the video below.

Tags: cattle feedcowsflaxseedgreenhouse gas emissionsmethanepea proteinUF/IFAS
Previous Post

Writer shows how Floridians can leverage satire into political power   

Next Post

Utilities choosing coal, solar, nuclear or other power sources have a lot to consider, beyond just cost

Next Post
The Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center, built at the Florida Power and Light's existing power plant near Indiantown in Martin County. (iStock image)

Utilities choosing coal, solar, nuclear or other power sources have a lot to consider, beyond just cost

Twitter Facebook Instagram Youtube

About this website

The Invading Sea is a nonpartisan source for news, commentary and educational content about climate change and other environmental issues affecting Florida. The site is managed by Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Environmental Studies in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.

 

 

Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest climate change news and commentary in your email inbox by visiting here.

Donate to The Invading Sea

We are seeking continuing support for the website and its staff. Click here to learn more and donate.

Calendar of past posts

April 2025
S M T W T F S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930  
« Mar   May »

© 2022 The Invading Sea

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Multimedia
  • Public opinion
  • About

© 2022 The Invading Sea

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In