logo
Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

Have studies proved oregano can reduce methane emissions from cows?

By Allegra Taylor
NO

Adding oregano extracts to cattle feed as a more natural way to cut methane emissions has yet to be proved to work.

A 2018 study found that adding extracts of oregano to the feed of dairy cows inhibited their methane production, but stated that more research is necessary. In a 2019 study, Danish researchers fed dried oregano to dairy cows but did not find any lowering of methane production over the course of four days. Another study from February found that oregano oil had no effect on methane emissions.

The U.N. estimates that 14% of global human-caused greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock, and 44% of those emissions are from methane gas produced by livestock. Some chemical compounds have been found to reduce methane production in cattle by as much as 25%.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
FACT BRIEF BY
facebook
twitter
email
email