Pasture treatments for enhanced carbon sequestration and reduction in livestock-produced greenhouse gas emissions
The subject invention provides compositions and methods for reducing deleterious atmospheric gases and/or precursors thereof using livestock feed additives and/or supplements. In preferred embodiments, a multi-purpose composition comprising one or more beneficial microorganisms and/or one or more microbial growth by-products is applied to livestock animals' feed and/or to a field or pasture where livestock animals graze. In some embodiments, the composition controls methanogenic bacteria. In some embodiments, the composition enhances carbon sequestration in the field or pasture by promoting plant health and/or growth.
1 . A method for reducing the production of methane from a livestock animal's digestive system, wherein the method comprises feeding, to said livestock animal, feed that comprises Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-67928 and an additional microorganism selected from Pleurotus ostreatus, Saccharomyces boulardii or Bacillus subtilis , and a lipopeptide biosurfactant, wherein said microorganism is at a concentration of microbial cells of about 1×10 9 to about 1×10 13 CFU/ml and wherein ingestion of the feed by the livestock animal reduces production of methane from the livestock animal's digestive system.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the livestock animal is a ruminant.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising assessing the effect of the method on the reduction of methane emissions in the livestock animal's digestive system and/or waste.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising assessing the effect of the method on the control of methanogenic bacteria and/or protozoa in the livestock animal's digestive system and/or waste.
5 . The method of claim 1 , used for reducing the number of carbon credits used by an operator involved in livestock production.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the lipopeptide biosurfactant is a surfactin, fengycin, lichenysin or iturin.