Researchers target dairy methane with flaxseed, pea protein blend

USA – Researchers at the University of Florida (UF) are trialling a new cattle supplement made from flaxseed and pea protein that shows promise in reducing methane emissions from cows while enhancing nutrient use.

The study, led by Dr. Antonio Faciola, associate professor in UF’s Department of Animal Sciences, was recently published in the Journal of Dairy Science. 

It explores how altering dairy cattle diets could make milk production more environmentally sustainable without compromising output.

Cows are among the largest agricultural contributors to methane, a potent greenhouse gas released mainly through burping during digestion. 

When cows produce methane, they also lose energy, energy that could otherwise be used for milk production. 

Finding ways to minimise these losses could be a key part of tackling climate change while feeding a growing global population.

The research team investigated the effect of a flaxseed and pea protein supplement on fermentation in the cow’s rumen, the first of four stomach compartments in ruminants. 

This supplement, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins, was tested in a lab setting to simulate digestion and measure methane production.

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

James Vinyard, a research assistant professor at the University of Alaska and a former postdoctoral student at UF, played a key role in the experiment. Vinyard simulated rumen fermentation in the lab to evaluate how the supplemental feed changed digestion and gas output.

“The supplement, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins, reduced methane production and improved overall digestion,” Vinyard said.

The promising results, however, are still limited to controlled laboratory conditions. The next phase of research will involve live animal trials to determine whether the observed methane reductions and digestion improvements hold on working dairy farms.

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

The research was funded in part by O&T Farms Ltd., a Canadian-based agricultural company that produces animal supplements. The company’s involvement underscores the growing interest from industry stakeholders in sustainable livestock production methods.

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