A role of agroforestry in reducing ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant livestock systems

Abstract

Tree leaves such as willow (Salix caprea) have the potential to modify digestion of protein in the rumen and breakdown of nitrogen in urine patches through the action of phenolic compounds present in the leaves. Over a 2 week period, we compared emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia from urine patches produced by weaned lambs that were fed willow leaves for the previous two weeks with lambs that were not fed willow. Although only statistically significant for nitrous oxide on one of the three sampling occasions, emissions for both greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) and for ammonia were consistently lower from urine patches produced by lambs that had been fed willow. Inclusion of willow as fodder in silvopastural systems has a potential role in reducing greenhouse gases and ammonia from ruminant livestock that warrants further investigation.