Scientists are saying that cow flatulence accounts for some 25% of methane gas emissions in the U.S., and that cows should be fed a different diet to reduce it. Australis Aquaculture, a Massachusetts-based agricultural research company, is working on a type of seaweed that could substitute for some or all of cows' current feed and cut down on the bovine tooting. Animal science experts at the University of California-Davis have studied the use of seaweed in cows' diets and support Australis' findings. The only hurdle is to be able to mass produce and distribute the enormous quantities that would be needed:
"Challenges remain, said Ermias Kebreab, a professor of animal science at UC Davis. The seaweed needs more tests to determine if it would impact meat and milk quality from the animals.Let's wish them the best for the planet's (and the cows') sake.
The challenge of producing enough of the seaweed is staggering, leading [Australis CEO Josh] Goldman to call it an 'aquatic moonshot.' He estimated that the amount of seaweed needed to reach every cattle operation would be greater than the amount presently farmed in the world."
2 comments:
Sounds good, but pollution and global warming may make seaweed farming difficult. It would take pretty vast areas to produce the volume of seaweed necessary to supplement cattle feed. But it bears investigation. And peeyew, less methane is good for the environment!
donnah -- It's sounded far fetched, but any step toward reducing greenhouse gasses is a step forward. And the cows may find comfort too. : )
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