Based on a study by the Free University of Mexico, the effect of adding lemongrass to feed on the methane concentration in the breath of fattening animals was to be investigated under Austrian conditions – it was found that the 47 cattle included in the field trial emitted an average of around 15 percent less methane during digestion.

The field trial

• As part of the field trial, 47 fattening bulls weighing between 300 and 600 kg were available in 8 boxes of 6 male animals each at the Christian Schrammel family farm in Schwarzau am Steinfeld.
• The animals were divided into two groups, with one group additionally fed 100 grams of lemongrass per day (ration share depending on age: 1.2 to 1.7 percent).
• Between September and December 2020 (four measurement periods of three weeks each), each box was fed twice with and twice without lemongrass.
• At the end of each measurement period, the concentration of methane (CH4) in the exhaled air of the cattle was measured using a mobile measuring device (Methane Laser Mini).
• Possible effects on feeding were measured using measuring boluses from the company smaXtec.

 

Results

• Feeding 100 grams of lemongrass per day reduces CH4 emissions in the air we breathe by an average of 14.6%.
• The range of variation in methane reduction across the replications is between 7.8% and 23.4%.
• A negative impact on rumen processes is unlikely at this quantity. All results from the measurement boluses were typical and did not differ statistically.

 

Agriculture Minister Elisabeth Köstinger

“Agriculture and forestry are not the problem when it comes to climate change, but part of the solution. I am very proud that such forward-looking projects are being researched at our research institutions. Austria’s small-scale agriculture is continuously reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Since 1990, domestic agriculture has emitted 14.3 percent less greenhouse gases. However, we will continue to research future solutions. This project shows that alternative feeding methods can reduce methane emissions by 15 percent. Lemongrass won’t solve all the problems, but the results provide important insights for the future of livestock research. We will now build on these results with the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein,” explains Agriculture Minister Elisabeth Köstinger.

Managing Director of Marcher Meat Processing Plants Norbert Marcher

“Large societal goals are best achieved when everyone honestly considers what they can change within their immediate sphere of influence. When our client Burger King informed us about the impressive study results in Mexico, we were immediately enthusiastic about the idea of ​​investigating whether similar results could be achieved under our local conditions. Fortunately, at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, we have experts like Dr. Thomas Guggenberger and his team who possess both the necessary infrastructure and outstanding scientific competence, experience, and enthusiasm for the relevant research.”

Head of the Institute for Farm Animal Research at HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, Dr. Thomas Guggenberger

"The initiative by Marcher Fleischwerke to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation in domestic cattle using lemongrass is very insightful – an exciting approach to how companies in the food sector can contribute to climate protection through innovative production methods."

Downloads

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{rsfiles path="1_2021_Abschlussbericht Lemongras.pdf"}

{rsfiles path="1_2021_03_29_Pressegesprch_LemongrasI.pdf"}