New cattle feed additive reduces nitrogen emissions by up to 81%

An interdisciplinary research team involving the Research Institute of Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf and the Universities of Rostock, Munich and Vienna has discovered that willow leaves have the potential to drastically reduce ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions from cattle farming.

The study, published in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, shows that a natural feed additive could make pasture farming more environmentally friendly—and a traditional medicinal product is finding a new application.

An ancient natural medicine could help to reduce the ecological footprint of agriculture in the future: willow leaves. As part of a collaborative project, scientists from the FBN and the participating universities have jointly demonstrated that certain ingredients in willow leaves can significantly reduce environmentally and climate-damaging nitrogen emissions from cattle urine—by up to 81%. The tests were carried out at the FBN in Dummerstorf.

Nitrogen emissions—a major challenge for agriculture

Ammonia (NH₃) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are among the main gaseous nitrogen compounds released in large quantities by agriculture worldwide. About 80% of global ammonia and 81% of nitrous oxide emissions are attributable to this sector. Particularly problematic is that while ammonia acidifies soils and over-fertilizes ecosystems, nitrous oxide has about 300 times more impact on the climate than CO₂ and remains in the atmosphere for around 150 years.