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Grape Seeds, Stems and Skins in Feed Can Reduce Dairy Cattle Emissions

California’s wine industry could play a role in reducing methane emissions from dairy cattle.

Researchers at University of California, Davis, added fresh grape pomace left over from winemaking operations to alfalfa-based feed for dairy cows and found that methane emissions were reduced by 10% to 11%. 

The preliminary findings could offer a low-cost sustainable pathway for vineyards to reduce waste while helping dairy operations maintain quality while cutting back on emissions of methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas.

Eco-tip: Pilot programs preview potential progress for recycling food waste

Breakthrough technologies and innovative programs often start as pilot projects. When the project serves a public purpose, public agencies sometimes provide incentives.

Two upcoming events, coordinated by the Ventura County Recycling Market Development Zone, provide examples and show public agency support on the city, county, state and federal levels.

Using Yeast to Convert Almond Hulls to Animal Feed

Yeast grown on almond hulls could be a new, sustainable route to produce high-protein animal feed from an agricultural waste product, according to research from UC Davis published Nov. 15 in PLOS One.

Raising animals for meat requires livestock feed that is high in protein, especially essential amino acids that animals need to grow. That makes feed the most expensive input in meat production.