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Earthworms Found to Contribute to Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions

California study finds earthworms increase greenhouse gas emissions

By , Farms.com

Often we hear about livestock agriculture contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and being bad for the environment. However, according to a California based study, there is a new culprit contributing to greenhouse gas emissions – earthworms.

The study was recently published in the scientific journal Nature; it demonstrates that worms may be a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions by releasing carbon dioxide from the soil into the atmosphere.

According to the researchers, earthworms through the process of breaking down organic matter, may be responsible for contributing to up to one-third of carbon-dioxide emissions from the soil.

The study goes a step further and raises the question about “no-till” farming, which is an agriculture technique of growing crops without disturbing the soil through tillage. This increasingly popular agriculture technique is in essence preserving earthworm habitats and with the increase use of organic fertilizer may be exacerbating the greenhouse gas emissions process rather than mitigating it.


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Dr. David Rosero: Fat Quality in Swine Diets

Video: Dr. David Rosero: Fat Quality in Swine Diets

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. David Rosero from Iowa State University explores the critical aspects of fat quality and oxidation in swine diets. He discusses how different types of lipids affect pig performance and provides actionable insights on managing lipid oxidation in feed mills. Don’t miss this episode—available on all major platforms.

Highlight quote: "Increasing levels of oxidized fats in swine diets reduced the efficiency of feed utilization, increased mortality, and led to more pigs being classified as culls, reducing the number of full-value pigs entering the finishing barns."

Meet the guest: Dr. David Rosero / davidrosero is an assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State University. His research program focuses on conducting applied research on swine nutrition and the practical application of smart farming. He previously served as the technical officer for The Hanor Company, overseeing nutrition, research, and innovation efforts.