Willow leaves: Revolutionary feed additive reduces emissions by up to 81%!

Willow leaves: Revolutionary feed additive reduces emissions by up to 81%!

There is new hope in the fight against harmful nitrogen emissions in domestic agriculture. An interdisciplinary research team, consisting of scientists from the Research Institute for Livestock Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf as well as universities from Rostock, Munich and Vienna, investigated in a current study how willow leaves can be used as a feed additive to reduce ammonia (NH₃) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. The results are promising: Up to 81 percent less nitrous oxide and a 14 percent reduction in ammonia emissions are possible, as Elite Magazine reports.

There are many reasons for the high nitrogen emissions in agriculture. Willow leaves contain the active ingredient salicin, which is activated when cattle pass urine. These emissions arise directly on the pastures and are a significant cause of air and soil pollution. Feeding willow leaves containing salicylate could therefore be an efficient measure to reduce the impact of agriculture on the climate. According to Ingenieur.de, around 80 percent of global ammonia and 81 percent of nitrous oxide emissions come from agriculture.

Willow leaves as a sustainable feed additive

Willows are fast-growing woody plants that are traditionally used as medicinal and forage plants. In New Zealand they are already used successfully as a feed source for cattle, sheep and goats. This means that willow leaves are not only locally available and renewable, but also do not require any chemical additives. “The possibility of integrating pastures directly into pasture areas opens up the opportunity for silvopastoral systems,” say the experts from Deutschlandfunk Nova.

However, it remains to be seen how these results behave under real husbandry conditions. Further studies are needed to confirm the effects on factors such as feed intake, soil type and climate. At the same time, the effects of other deciduous species, such as poplar, are also being investigated in order to create a wider range of natural feed additives.

A look into the future

Agriculture could take a decisive step towards reducing emissions by using willow leaves in combination with pastures and trees. The research team plans to carry out extensive field trials in Germany to test the effect under practical conditions. This could significantly increase the possibilities for more sustainable animal husbandry. The researchers have already shown a good hand, and the promotion of a more environmentally friendly system could be within reach.

Overall, research shows that the targeted use of natural resources such as willow leaves can not only make animal husbandry more sustainable, but also advance climate protection. The findings from the study are 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 Deutschlandfunk Nova.