Summary
This narrative review examines the integration of biochar into animal agriculture systems, synthesising evidence on its potential to improve animal health and production efficiency whilst reducing environmental footprint through enhanced manure management and soil properties. The paper appears to appraise biochar as a multipurpose amendment in livestock farming, bridging productivity and sustainability objectives across health, efficiency and environmental domains.
UK applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to UK livestock systems, where interest in biochar as both a soil amendment and animal health intervention is growing. Biochar shows particular promise for beef, dairy and poultry systems where manure management and soil health are regulatory and agronomic priorities. However, UK farmers and advisers should note that regulatory approval for biochar as a feed additive within the UK post-Brexit framework would need to be confirmed before practical adoption, and biochar cost, feedstock availability and integration into existing farm practices would require contextualisation.
Key measures
Animal health indicators; feed conversion ratio and efficiency; growth performance; methane and nitrous oxide emissions; manure nutrient content and quality; soil carbon sequestration; nutrient availability; pathogen viability; gut microbiome composition
Outcomes reported
The study reviewed evidence on biochar's effects on animal health parameters, feed efficiency, and production metrics across multiple livestock species, alongside environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, ammonia emissions, and soil quality. Outcomes include data on nutrient cycling, pathogen reduction, gut microbiome composition, and sustainability indicators in livestock systems.
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