USA – A novel approach to reducing methane emissions from cattle, using chicken eggs as a form of “passive immunisation,” is gaining attention in the world of methane-reducing feed additives.
The University of Florida, leading this research, believes that specially treated eggs may offer a low-cost solution for cattle producers seeking to curb emissions.
In an early trial, University of Florida researchers demonstrated that feeding eggs produced by chickens vaccinated against methane-producing microorganisms to Angus crossbred steers reduced methane production in the animal’s rumen.
The eggs contained antibodies targeting two types of archaea responsible for methane production, and when ingested by the cattle, these antibodies appeared to mitigate methane emissions.
Nicolas DiLorenzo, a professor of animal science at the University of Florida and the study’s lead researcher, explained that while archaea are often mistaken for bacteria, they are a distinct group of organisms.
The study, which merges DiLorenzo’s long-standing interest in both methane emissions and the use of chicken eggs to transmit immunity, could potentially revolutionise methane reduction efforts in livestock.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the University of Florida a US$5 million grant to continue exploring this and other methane-control technologies.
While existing methane-reducing feed additives like 3-NOP are available, DiLorenzo believes that egg antibodies could be a more cost-effective solution.
He also envisions the technology expanding to other livestock, such as swine, and even targeting different microbes, such as those responsible for ammonia emissions.
DiLorenzo emphasised the promise of this technology but acknowledged that much remains unknown, including the exact mechanism by which the antibodies reduce methane production.
The leading theory is that the antibodies either reduce the population of methane-producing microorganisms or bind to them, preventing methane generation.
Research, conducted in collaboration with Auburn University and Clemson University, will explore these questions further, with the aim of determining the eggs’ broader impact on cattle productivity.
Although the grant is set to fund five years of research, preliminary results from upcoming trials are expected as early as next year.
This research is timely, as industry experts like dsm-firmenich are investing in methane-reducing feed additives to make the dairy industry more sustainable.
According to Global Market Insights, the ruminant methane reduction market size was valued at around US$2.6 billion in 2023 and is estimated to grow at 7.3% CAGR from 2024 to 2032.
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