Dancing with Daffodils is a project aimed to develop a naturally sourced nutritional additive to reduce methane emissions from ruminants. Funded by Innovate UK, this project unites a consortium of forward-thinking organisations including Analox Group, Rumenco, SRUC, Wynnstay and others. The project focuses on developing a feed additive derived from haemanthamine, an alkaloid extracted from daffodils, in the attempt to reduce methane emissions and improve feed protein.
Our task is to develop a gas sensor system to measure key gases released by ruminants after consuming the additive. These gases include methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen, and ammonia. Dancing with Daffodils aligns closely with our ESG policy which emphasises our commitment to sustainable practices and reducing environmental impact. By embedding our ESG principles into our everyday operations, we strive when supporting innovative projects that promote long-term sustainability in agriculture and beyond.
Ruminant livestock farming faces intense scrutiny due to its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, with methane being a particularly potent climate-change driver. Developing a feed additive which is capable of reducing methane emissions is a significant achievement in itself, however confirming its efficacy in real-world conditions presents its own set of challenges.
Our key challenges:
Ruminant livestock farming faces intense scrutiny due to its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, with methane being a particularly potent climate-change driver. Developing a feed additive which is capable of reducing methane emissions is a significant achievement in itself, however confirming its efficacy in real-world conditions presents its own set of challenges.
Our key challenges:
The Dancing with Daffodils project represents a potentially transformative step towards a more sustainable future for ruminant farming. For us, being a part of this consortium has developed our knowledge alongside other organisations and researchers, as well as allowing us to be innovative. We are looking forward to the journey throughout this project and the lessons is will undoubtedly bring as we assist in attempting to establish sustainability in agriculture.