Researchers search for a methane-reducing cow diet to fight global warming

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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