Wait, don’t cow farts cause climate change?

Cows produce methane as a result of enteric fermentation by symbiotic bacteria living in their digestive systems. But most enteric fermentation occurs in cow stomachs, not intestines, so most methane emitted by a cow - up to 98% according to one scientist - is through belching, not farting.

Ok, that's straightened out.  So what are scientists doing to reduce the impact of cow belches on climate change?

Before you laugh at cow belch research: According to the EPA, enteric fermentation by livestock accounts for nearly 2% of all U.S. anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. Of course, this doesn’t include manure handling, land use patterns, or processing and packaging and shipping – just the belching.

This 2% of U.S. emissions has warranted some serious belch studying. Microbiologists are attempting to engineer gut bacteria that don’t produce methane as a byproduct. Aussie researchers are attempting to introduce kangaroo flora to cow guts, on the pretense that kangaroos don’t belch or fart as much methane as cows do. And most recently, some American and Candian studies have focused on whether or not a cow’s diet influences their methane production.

In a study funded by the Dairy Farmers of Canada and published in the Journal of Animal Science this month, researchers stated that feeding cows more grains and less grass amounted to an up to 15% reduction of methane produced through enteric fermentation. Another study showed that adding garlic to a cow’s diet reduced methane emissions by 50%. In general, scientists appear to be forming a concensus that foodstuffs with higher available energy, such as high sugar grasses, or higher protein content may decrease cow methane emissions.

No study to date has explored the methane emissions from heirloom breeds of livestock in comparison to conventional livestock. Envirovore hopes as that Battle Cow Belch ensues, dietary and breed considerations will be on the forefront of researchers’ minds, instead of more expenisve, invasive, and morally and environmentally questionable chemical or laboratory intensive processes.

Via Environmental News Network

Comments (2)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

fake rolex watch
written by rolex replica, January 20, 2010

Above these goods really good, so beautiful jewelry!replica watches Really to be commended! Unfortunately, I have no money, He He. Otherwise I really bought"Magnificent", "Gum gee yuk yip", "True gold fears no fiery," "golden palace in books," "very strong"replica watchThere is a noble, time-delayed in ancient times left to shine; There is a wealth, status and power load across time and space.fake rolex watches You have a good typing speed soon yo!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by jordan shoes, March 09, 2010

他也爱他的第二夫人。她是一个非常体贴
的人，总是耐心，事实上是商人的
知己。当商人遇到一些问题，
他总是把他的第二夫人，而她也总是帮助
他，并渡过困难时期，他通过

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment