A new trial, being carried out by Coventry University and Innovative Farmers, will test if feeding charcoal to cattle can cut emissions from livestock.
Biochar has the potential to shake up the farming industry and results so far have been promising, according to researchers.
The trial
Cattle on a farm in Lincolnshire are being fed biochar, which is a form of charcoal created to improve soils. They say the substance has the potential to reduce methane and ammonia emissions from cattle. It is also hoped to limit the impact of manure on waterways by reducing nitrate leaching.
Findings
So far, the results have been positive, but more research is needed. The field research has been extended with several farmers in Wales now set to trial biochar feed on their farms over the next year.
Donna Udall, Research Assistant at Coventry University, has said: “Biochar has the potential to shake up the farming industry and results so far have been promising, although we are looking at expanding the trials to other farms to compare initial findings.”
“Initiatives like this show that the farming industry can make real progress towards reducing its environmental impact and we are continuing to engage more farmers so that they can become part of the solution for climate change.”
