Weidenlaub: Revolutionary feed additive reduces emissions by up to 81%!
Weidenlaub: Revolutionary feed additive reduces emissions by up to 81%!
In domestic agriculture there is new hope in the fight against harmful nitrogen emissions. An interdisciplinary research team, consisting of scientists from the research institute for livestock biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf and universities from Rostock, Munich and Vienna, examined in a recent study how wicker leaves can be used as a supplement to the feed of ammonia (NH₃) and laughing gas emissions (N₂O). The results are promising: up to 81 percent less laughing gas and a reduction in ammonia emissions by 14 percent are possible, as the Elite Magazine reports.
The reasons for the high nitrogen emissions in agriculture are diverse. Willow leaves contain the active ingredient salicin that is activated when cattle hand in the urine. These emissions are created directly on the pasture areas and are a significant cause of air and soil contaminants. Feeding salicylate -containing pasture leaves could therefore be an efficient measure to reduce the effects of agriculture on the climate. According to Ingenieur.de
Weidenlaub as a sustainable feed additive
Weiden are quickly growing trees, which are traditionally used as healing and feed plants. In New Zealand, they are already successfully used as a source of feed for cattle, sheep and goats. This means that willow leaves are not only available and renewed locally, but also does without chemical additives. "The possibility of integrating pastures directly on pasture areas opens the chance for silvopastoral systems," said the experts from Deutschlandfunk Nova.| emissions
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| Ammoniak | -14% |
| Lachgas | -81% |
A look into the future
Agriculture could take a decisive step towards emission reduction through the use of willow leaves in combination with pasture areas and trees. The research team plans to carry out extensive field trials in Germany to test the effects under practical conditions. The possibilities for more sustainable animal husbandry could be increased significantly. The researchers have already proven a good hand, and the promotion of a more environmentally friendly system could be within reach.
Overall, research shows that by targeted use of natural resources such as pasture leaves, not only animal husbandry can be made more sustainable, but also the protection of climate. The knowledge from the study is an important step in the right direction and offer a glimmer of hope in the fight against the harmful emissions of our time.
For more information about the studies and their results, please visit Elite magazine , Ingenieur.de and Nova .
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| Ort | Wien, Österreich |
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