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Methane Reduction has been a hot topic the last few years as we explore ways to reduce greenhouse gases on the planet. Methane gases, also known as CH₄, contributes to approximately 19% of the rise in global temperature of all long-lived greenhouse gases (GHG) and remains in the atmosphere for about a decade. Enteric fermentation is attributed to approximately 25% of that CH₄input. Reducing this number is key to limit near-term warming and improve air quality.

With nearly 9.38 million dairy cows in the USA alone and another 1.4 million in Canada we have an opportunity to make a climate impact to the reduction of the CH₄ levels in a very substantial way.

FUN FACT:

Recent research has a cause and effect that linPRO-R products are reducing enteric methane production.

The Research

Earlier in 2023 O&T Farms began research of our lin-PRO-R product analyzing the by-pass fat % in dairy cows. While putting together our proposal for this in-vitro trial with Dr. Antonio Faciola from University of Florida, it was suggested we consider measuring the effects methane gas production on the hypothesis that linPRO-R would indeed reduce the enteric methane production. Upon initial analysis results are encouraging and we’ve continued further research with an in-vivo trial with Dr. Ermias Kebreab from UC Davis, California. Methane-production-in-dairy-cow
These third-party research studies include analysis into milk production, quality (including the fatty acid composition) rumen fat digestion and methane emissions at various feeding rates. The hypothesis is that linPRO-R will avoid significant bio hydronation of the PUFA by the microbes in the rumen and will make the fats available for digestion in the lower intestine. This will maintain milk fat composition while reducing methane production. We are expecting the results from these trials in December 2023 (U of Florida) and April 2024 (UC Davis CA).

The objectives of the studies:

University of Florida (In Vitro Study)

This study was conducted in a controlled in vitro analysis environment with the University of Florida.

- Rumenant Ungradable Protein percentage of Crude protein (RUP, CP%),
- By-pass fat %
- GHG (Methane & carbon dioxide) emissions

A caloric balanced diet was used for all samples/beakers which emulates what is expected from a typical large Midwestern USA dairy operation.

UC Davis California (In Vivo Study)

Our in-vivo study at UC Davis California investigates the potential of flaxseed based products to reduce methane missions and positive modulation of the gut microbiota with potential benefits for human health through the concentration of omega-3 fatty acid profiles in milk. This study is being funded by the California Dairy Research Foundation with a mandate to find alternative methods of reducing methane gas production within the dairy sector to helping meet the Air Resource Board of regulations. We feel this study will have a significant impact on the carbon footprint of the Dairy sector.

Research Page

Check our Research Page for new updates and published findings from the research.

Agriculture Methane Reduction Challenge:

In 2024 the Government of Canada introduced the Agricultural Methane Reduction Challenge organized by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. We have been invited to work with Agropur to develop a dry-extruded flaxseed-based feeding strategy that could reduce methane emissions from dairy cows by at least 9.2%.

In July 2024, this idea earned Agropur a spot among the challenge’s 13 semi-finalists out of 86 applications received. Early finding are promising to put Agropur, utilizing the linPRO-R product, to be a top contender for this Challenge. Check out more information on the progress here. We will continue to update our News page as next stages are are published.

The California Air Resource Board states:

Over half the methane emission in California come from dairy and livestock manure and enteric fermentation (the latter mostly comes from burping).

To bring solutions to the climate concerns surrounding these particular areas they convened a Dairy and Livestock Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Working Group. The result was a mandated focus on three specific areas with one focusing specifically on the reduction of enteric fermentation.