Certified Technology for the effect of plant tannins and saponins on reducing the production of methane and ammonia produced by fermentation activity in the rumen, on the health and production of dairy cattle

The EU's strategic plan for reducing methane (CH4) emissions, improving air quality, andstrengthening the EU's global leadership in the fight against climate change creates a need todesign alternative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from animal production.Methane (CH4) is one of the three main greenhouse gases, along with carbon dioxide (CO2) andnitrous oxide (N2O). It is highly effective and has a global warming potential 28 times greaterthan CO2. In addition to contributing to global warming, CH4 formation in the rumen results ina loss of 2-12 % of the animal's metabolic energy intake. Since livestock production accountsfor about 17-20 % of the total 40 % of global anthropogenic emissions, many EU countrieshave made legislative commitments to substantially reduce their total greenhouse gasemissions, including CH4 emissions from livestock farming. On March 14, 2023, theParliament of the Czech Republic voted to increase the target for reducing greenhouse gasemissions by 2030 from 30 % to 40 % compared to 2005. Therefore, the main goal of the SS06020190 project is the development of a new feedsupplement for cattle with a strong antimethanogenic effect while simultaneously eliminatingthe negative impact on production, health, and animal welfare. To achieve these purposes, in2024, a pilot test of the impact of selected antimethanogenic components (tannins fromQuebracha and chestnut tree) was carried out, and their potential to reduce the production ofenteric CH4 in the rumen was evaluated. The influence of the dietaryaddition of tannins and macroalgae during the experiment on rumen fermentation, blood biochemical parameters, milk yield, and milk quality parameters was also monitored.