In an earlier post I discussed how methane production is being reduced in cattle with dietary changes. Today I came across a video I wanted to share with you showing how the Straus Family Creamery is working to harvest methane from cattle waste products and turn it into fuel for generating electricity. Here is the video.
A commenter on YouTube pointed out that this system is still burning fuel leading to CO2 still being released into the atmosphere. However, I think this family is doing a great service by converting the methane to power that is sent back into the grid.
What do you think? Please leave a comment below if you have any thoughts to share.
I recently read an article in the local paper that focused on a few dairies that are working to reduce the amount of methane produce from the cattle in their operations. The cattle industry accounts for about 37% of all the methane produced worldwide. In total, the industry is responsible for about 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Though some comes from the end of a cow’s digestive system, the majority is actually from belching.
Cattle, like all ruminants, process food by enteric fermentation. This fermentation process produces methane which is released chiefly through belching. On our small farm we raise dairy goats which are also ruminants. Having been around them a great deal, I can attest to the large amount of rumblings and belches that they expel. It is actually pretty comical to say the least!
What has been the cure? Feeds that rebalance the rumen such as alfalfa, flax, and grasses all help. These feeds are high in Omega 3s, also termed fatty acids. In research projects of cattle fitted with meters, the decrease in methane production has been significant. In addition, the fat content of the milk increases with these diets.
As a side note, the decrease in methane can now be measured through milk analysis rather than having cattle wear the apparatuses that measure the methane output. If you’ve ever seen a picture of these outfitted cows, you’ll agree the milk analysis method is much more attractive not to mention easier on the technicians carrying out the studies!
So, what does all this mean? It is simply another choice we make as humans to reduce the output of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. After all, becoming a more sustainable planet should be everyone’s goal.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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