Grant: Engage Grants Program

The goal of this new collaborative research project between Absorbent Products Ltd. and Thompson Rivers University is to evaluate the in vitro effects of Red Lake Earth (diatomaceous earth) on methane production from cattle-derived rumen fluids. With agricultural activities being a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada and abroad, there is renewed interest in developing feed additives to alter rumen microbial communities to reduce methane production from livestock. It is estimated that up to 25% of anthropogenic greenhouse gases are derived directly from rumen microbial communities, so even modest improvements in animal feed formulations could have significant impacts. This study will evaluate the effects of diatomaceous earth formulations on methane production in small scale, high throughput, in vitro rumen fluid cultures. Both methane production and the activity of methanogens as evaluated using real time polymerase chain reaction will be monitored under a number of conditions. The industrial partner, Absorbent Products Ltd. is a Kamloops-based company that has been in operation for 22 years selling products such as: Pet Litter Products, Industrial Absorbents, and Agriculture Products. They are currently seeking new markets through diversification of their product line. Given the strong local ranching community, developing a low-cost feed additive for reducing livestock methane emissions will allow the company to launch a new product locally before entering national and global markets.