Cows and microbes are teaming up to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A new project led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is developing strategies to redirect methane production in ruminants towards more productive end-products.
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that is produced in the rumen of ruminant animals as part of the microbial fermentation process. The project team is working to identify ways to redirect the excess hydrogen that is normally used to produce methane towards other products, such as propionate and butyrate, which are reduced fatty acids that serve as the primary energy source for all ruminants.
The team will start by taking a close look at hydrogen production and utilization in the lab. They will take rumen microbial communities from beef cattle that naturally produce more or less methane to explore potential adjustments they can make to the system with promising inhibitor compounds. Later, they will bring their findings back into cows.
The goal is to be able to recommend specific amounts of inhibitors that don’t hinder or even improve production performance within three years.
This project is part of the Greener Cattle Initiative, led by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR). The FFAR is a non-profit organization that supports agricultural research to address global food security and climate challenges.
This project has the potential to make a significant impact on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock sector. If successful, it could lead to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly food system.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: Illinois, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle