By Jamie Martin
Researchers from the Research Institute of Farm Animal Biology (FBN) and universities in Rostock, Munich, and Vienna have discovered that willow leaves can significantly reduce harmful nitrogen emissions from cattle farming.
The study, published in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, found that this natural feed additive could reduce ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions by up to 81%.
Nitrogen emissions, including ammonia and nitrous oxide, are major environmental concerns in agriculture. Ammonia acidifies soil, while nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, has a climate impact 300 times greater than CO₂.
These emissions primarily come from the urine of ruminants like cattle, sheep, and goats. Reducing these emissions is for sustainable farming.
The research showed that feeding cattle willow leaves, which contain salicin—a precursor to salicylic acid—significantly reduced ammonia and nitrous oxide formation.
Compared to a control group, cattle fed with willow leaves produced 14% less ammonia and 81% less nitrous oxide over 48 hours.
"Willow foliage is a locally available, renewable raw material that is particularly suitable as a natural feed supplement for pasture farming—where other solutions fail," said Dr. Björn Kuhla from the FBN.
Willows are traditionally used in medicinal and fodder applications, and this new finding opens doors for more sustainable livestock feed.
Researchers are now testing willow’s effects under real farming conditions and exploring other tree species like poplar for similar benefits.
The long-term goal is to integrate woody plants into pasture systems, creating a more eco-friendly solution that can help reduce emissions and improve farming practices.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: National