Could Better Tasting Cattle Feed Solve Global Warming?
Cow belches, a major source of greenhouse gases, could be decreased by an unusual feed supplement developed by a Penn State dairy scientist.In a series of laboratory experiments and a live animal test, an oregano-based supplement not only decreased methane emissions in dairy cows by 40 percent, but also improved milk production, according to Alexander Hristov, an associate professor of dairy nutrition.The natural methane-reduction supplement could lead to a cleaner environment and more productive dairy operations.”Cattle are actually a major producer of methane gas and methane is a significant greenhouse gas,” Hristov said. “In fact, worldwide, livestock emits 37 percent of anthropogenic methane.”Anthropegenic methane is methane produced by human activities, such as agriculture.Compared to carbon dioxide, methane has 23 times the potential to create global warming, Hristov said.
