Researchers search for a methane-reducing cow diet to fight global warming
Filed under: Etc., Natural Gas
According to Michael Abberton, a scientist at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research in the U.K., "there are approaches within plant breeding that can lead to reduced emissions." How is that, you might be wondering? Are we talking about a new plant-based fuel source? Not exactly, at least, not for your car. We are talking about cows. Besides being a favorite statistic to quote for those who would rather not buy an efficient car, cows really do emit greenhouse gases as they digest food. "It is actually through belching rather than the other end," said Abberton. So, in an effort to make plant matter easier for cows to digest, Abberton and his fellow researchers are trying to develop new varieties of the foods which cows choose to eat. This article says that "the average dairy cow belches out about 100 to 200 litres of methane each day", which "makes up 37% of methane and 67% of nitrous oxide emissions in the U.K." That's obviously plenty to be worried about, so there definitely is more to consider than just cars when it comes to greenhouse gases. Perhaps it'll be easier to change our driving habits versus the cow's eating habits! Maybe we should just sprinkle some Beano on the ground?
[Source: USA Today]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-13-2007 @ 9:12PM
Andrew said...
Would it not be a lot simpler for HUMANS to watch what they're eating instead? Eat less beef, and voila - less cattle are being raised, with a corresponding decrease in cattle-based methane production, water needs, manure production, and pasture land requirements!
Reply
7-13-2007 @ 9:19PM
bioburner said...
Can't we rig up something to burn it when it comes out? But yes eating less beef would be a more practical solution.
Reply
7-14-2007 @ 2:57AM
Chris M said...
It is bacteria in the cow's stomach that create methane while they break down and digest the tough plant cellulose for the cow. Changing the feed won't change that.
Maybe they should work on developing a cellulose digesting bacteria that doesn't produce methane.
Reply
7-14-2007 @ 9:03AM
Tim said...
OK. Everybody, put down you beer, soft drinks and beans down NOW.... raise your hands and back away slowly. You are under arrest for violating section 6666 of the world health code... Causing Global Warming. Please submit $1500 euros to the World Bank within 15 days or face incarceration.
Reply
7-14-2007 @ 1:18PM
James said...
I wonder what the concentration of methane is in a cow burp? Is it combustible?
200 litres of methane is about 10 mol. At 16g/mol that's about 160g/day of methane production from each cow.
10,000 cows could produce 1600kg/day of methane, or about the same energy as 3800gallons of gasoline.
Could we build very large, well sealed cattle barns, compress the exiting airstream, run it through a PSA to purify the methane, and generate power from it?
That way we could have our steak and eat it, too.
James
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