The disclosure relates to a method for decreasing the amount of convertible nitrogen released from an animal, wherein the method comprises the step of administering internally to the animal (such as cow, sheep or goats) an effective amount of dicyandiamide (DCD), which is capable of directly or indirectly affecting the conversion of nitrogen containing compounds in animal waste, such that animal waste acts as a carrier so that the one or more substances affect the conversion of nitrogen containing compounds once the waste is excreted from the animal, wherein the DCD is introduced internally to a cow at a rate in the range of 10 &ndash； 30 grams per day to ensure that DCD is excreted in the animal&rsquo；s urine so as to apply the DCD to land at a rate of between 7 kg per hectare and 15 kg per hectare, and wherein the DCD is introduced internally to a sheep at a rate in the range of 2 to 5 grams per day.
