February 28, 2014

Rapeseed-based animal feed cuts greenhouse gases by up to 13%

The use of rapeseed cake in the production of livestock feed cuts methane emissions by between 6% and 13% and carbon dioxide emissions by between 6.8% and 13.6%, according to the initial results from the Life-Seed Capital project.

The introduction of rapeseed preparation into the diet of ruminants also improves efficiency in the use of digestible organic matter by between 4.4% and 10.1% and cuts the fermentation of the diet by between 6.2% and 11.8%, without adversely affecting its digestibility for this reason.

Once it has been harvested, this oilseed can be used as a biofuel and added to diesel in varying proportions after simple cold pressing. Rapeseed cake, also known as 'oil cake', is a by-product obtained after pressing the plant to extract its oil, resulting in cost-cutting for farmers and greater efficiency in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.

The Life-Seed Capital project seeks to take advantage of rapeseed crops to improve agricultural productivity and, at the same time, to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The €1-million project is being funded by the European Union through its Life+ programme and is being led by the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Neiker-Tecnalia, and by the Multidisciplinary Centre for Industry Technologies CEMITEC.