The Power of Petals: The Daffodils’ Role in Combating Global Warming

In the picturesque Welsh countryside, farmer Andrew Evans is involved in a pioneering trial with implications for the global environment. At his farm in Welshpool, Powys, he is introducing daffodil compounds into his cattle’s diet to reduce methane emissions. The national flower of Wales is thus taking centre stage in a potentially ground-breaking endeavour.

Daffodils are more than just a national symbol; they contain a compound known as haemanthamine. This chemical, when incorporated into cattle feed, significantly reduces the methane emitted during digestion. Considering that cattle account for half of the UK’s methane emissions and 14% of global greenhouse gases, this discovery could be transformational. Researchers from Scotland’s Rural College have isolated and found that it reduces methane emissions by an impressive 30% in laboratory conditions. This trial is now being extended to several farms, including those run by Andrew Evans and fellow farmer Kevin Stephens. Stephens initially began growing daffodils for Alzheimer’s drug production but has since found an additional purpose for these charming flowers. “We discovered they also produce a compound that prevents ruminants from producing methane,” he said.

Abi Reader, the deputy president of NFU Cymru, underlined the importance of careful evaluation for this trial. While enthusiastic about the possibility of reducing methane emissions, she asserts that the safety, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency of the new feed must be thoroughly assessed. Aligned with this work, similar innovative approaches with other naturally occurring compounds are being explored internationally. For instance, in Sweden, as reported in our earlier story on Volta Greentech, researchers and farmers have been trialling a special diet for cattle that includes the red algae Asparagopsis from the seaweed family, which has already demonstrated a capacity to reduce methane emissions “by inhibiting the methane-producing microorganisms so that up to 90% of enteric methane production is eliminated”.  This July, The Guardian (Readfern, 2023) reported on a significant commercial trial of a seaweed supplement aimed at reducing methane emissions from beef cattle. The trial, involving 40 wagyu cattle in an Australian feedlot, found that adding the supplement to their diet resulted in a 28% reduction in methane emissions over a 300-day period. While this reduction is lower than some previous studies, it’s important to note that methane is about 80 times more potent than CO2 at warming the planet over a 20-year period, making any reduction in methane emissions a valuable step in addressing global warming.

The supplement used in the trial was derived from the red seaweed species Asparagopsis, which has been widely studied for its methane-reducing potential. Other experiments have shown reductions of over 80%, with some suggesting as high as 96%. Despite the lower results in this particular trial, it’s still noteworthy that the methane reductions were maintained consistently for 275 days, which indicates promise for the supplement’s effectiveness.

This novel use of daffodils in Wales and red algae in Sweden is a testament to the role of innovative science in addressing environmental challenges. If these trials are successful, they could revolutionise the agricultural industry’s environmental footprint, demonstrating that sometimes the solutions to global problems can bloom in our own backyards. Harnessing the power of daffodils to mitigate climate change is not just a fascinating scientific experiment; it is an example of how local action can contribute to global goals. Indeed, this project reminds us of the importance of creative thinking and collaboration in our quest for a more sustainable world.

In the wider context, this project aligns with several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It directly contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by addressing methane emissions. Additionally, it supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by promoting innovative, sustainable practices in agriculture. The collaborative approach across farmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs also embodies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), while supporting decent work in agriculture as outlined in SDG 8.

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