Nit: Most cow methane is due to burping.
The gas is methane. It's not the most plentiful gas linked to global warming; that title goes to carbon dioxide. But kilo-for-kilo, methane is said to have 21 times the warming effect of CO2.And it's becoming more abundant in the atmosphere every year. Methane is produced by all plant-eating animals, including the world's 1.3 billion beef cattle and dairy cows. Dr. Paul McCaughy is a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Brandon.
World wide, cattle produce enormous qualities of methane-probably about 15 per cent of world wide emissions of methane. Individual cattle can produce about 65 kilograms of methane per year.
Actually, the gas is produced by bacteria in the cow's digestive system. According to the experts, about 85 per cent of that gas escapes through the animal's mouth and nose in the form of quiet, but frequent, belches. McCaughey and other government researchers are now looking for ways to reduce that gas production. Among their findings so far: methane levels can be cut substantially when the animal is served high-quality feed, rich in alfalfa and young grasses. McCaughey says the results of this research will benefit both the environment and the farmer.
Methane is an energy loss to the cow and if we can somehow reduce methane production, we can improve the bottom line and make cattle production more profitable for farmers. So that would be a win-win situation for both society and the farmer.
Emphasis added.
Cheers,
Scott.