Alongside nine project partners, Wynnstay is pleased to be involved in the Innovate UK project ‘Dancing with daffodils’, which focuses on cultivating and processing daffodils.
Research is being undertaken to identify the potential of the incorporation of a compound found in daffodils into ruminant diets to reduce methane emissions and improve protein utilisation.
In season three, episode six of the Wynnstay Agri-Hub Podcast Alison Bond, Technical Services Manager at Rumenco and Andrew Evans, first-generation dairy farmer and Group Sustainability, Innovation and Food Supply Chain Director at Wynnstay, tell us more about the project and what it means for the industry.
What is ‘Dancing with daffodils’?
Daffodils have already been shown to have properties to improve human health. Galantamine, a compound found in the plant, has been used for dementia and brain health in humans for several years.
Dancing with daffodils is a project looking at developing a UK-based supply chain for a methane-reducing additive for ruminants which is found in daffodils.
Previous research conducted by Bangor University has shown that haemanthamine extract could be used in ruminant diets to reduce methane emissions.
When the opportunity for Innovate UK funding arose, it was decided to take this project forward as all partners believed this could be a game-changer for the ruminant sector.
The partnership organisations involved in the project have the ability to take this research from the field to the cow.
The project partners are:
- Grampian Growers – is growing the daffodils
- Agroceutical Products Ltd – is working on extracting the compound
- Rumenco – is leading the project and putting the additive in a farm-friendly format
- Wynnstay – is working to get the additive onto farm
- Bioextraction Ltd – is measuring gas production
- Beneve Ltd – is looking into carbon credit options
- CIEL – is focusing on knowledge exchange
- Bangor University – is providing academic support
- SRUC – is providing academic support
What is the aim of the project?
[Sub-heading 1] What is the aim of the project?
The four-year project started on 1 June 2023. However, some preliminary lab work has been undertaken so the partners know the daffodil extract can be used to reduce methane production and improve protein utilisation in ruminants, the ongoing research is to now identify to what extent.
The best outcome is to replicate the results that have been seen in the lab, which include:
- A reduction in methane production
- The rumen working more efficiently improving protein utilisation
Why is reducing dairy cow methane emissions so important?
If managed correctly, ruminants can help tackle climate change, as they play a key role in sequestering carbon.
They are also a key component of the UK agricultural industry, grazing two-thirds of agricultural land which is unsuitable for viable crop production. And are also a critical element of human nutrition.
However, tackling methane emissions and improving protein utilisation is a challenge for the sector.
The global methane pledge, set out at COP26, set the target to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
Innovative compounds, such as haemanthamine extract from daffodils, could help to reduce emissions from ruminants, making this project a very exciting prospect for the industry to help meet the COP26 target.
What are the benefits of incorporating the daffodil compound into ruminant rations?
The benefits of this new additive extend much further than just reducing methane emissions, including:
Protein utilisation
- Protein utilisation could increase by 50% - reducing soya bean meal requirements by as much as 0.5kg per cow per day
- If protein requirements are reduced, it could reduce the amount of imported soya required, which is associated with deforestation
Land use
- 65% of agricultural land is not suitable for cropping and ruminants play a key role in utilising land that is not suitable for growing crops
Nitrogen use efficiency
- Ruminants can excrete 70% of the protein they consume. If the rumen can become more efficient this will be hugely beneficial, as excreted protein contains nitrous oxide
Water quality
- Improved protein utilisation will reduce the amount of nutrients excreted and the risk of leaching into watercourses. This could prove beneficial for NVZ and water regulations
Carbon credits
- There are two opinions on this from farmers – some think it is greenwashing and some think it’s an opportunity to influence change
- The research into carbon credits is in the early stages, but one partner is looking to see if they can offset some of the cost of including the additive
How could the additive be incorporated into ruminant rations?
Work is still being done to understand how stable the additive is, but it could be a mineral that goes into a TMR, premix, block, bucket, or all of these.
As part of the project remit, work is being undertaken to investigate how to make this commercially viable.
Listen to season three, episode six of the Wynnstay Agri-Hub podcast here: Agri-Hub Podcast - The Home of Talking Agriculture
