Seeking ways to cut methane emissions in farming

The contentious issue of methane production by dairy cattle is a subject that has been preoccupying the mind of Moate Community School student Lucy Carroll, whose highly impressive project at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition focused on the means available for reducing emissions from the Irish bovine herd.

Lucy won the junior individual category in the Biological and Ecological category with her project 'Methane Busters: Harnessing tannins and feed additives to clean up slurry tank emissions'

Lucy believes a dual strategy is likely to work: one that targets methanogenic organisms in the rumen – and also in the slurry tank.

“With the Irish herd exceeding six million cattle this year, affordable and effective recommendations are urgently required,” she says. Her research led her towards the use of seaweed as a feed additive– but a disincentive towards the use of seaweed is the cost. Lucy found both tea and coffee to work efficiently at inhibiting methane synthesis.