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Key to cutting costs and emissions could lie in cow burps

Some cows produce up to 30 per cent more methane than others

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Scientists at the Lacombe Research Station in Alberta are studying cow burps to identify the animal’s methane production.

Heifers eat at a computerized feeder while an infrared detector and other equipment measures their burps.

One of the research objectives is to determine which breeds are more efficient than others in terms of methane production.

Research scientist John Basarab told CBC “less efficient cows produce up to 30 per cent more methane,” and that “selective breeding could help cut emissions by 10 to 15 per cent over the next couple of decades.”

If researchers can identify the more efficient cows, it could help farmers with their bottom lines.

“If we can get animals that eat less for the same amount of production, it means cost savings,” Basarab told CBC.

And the savings to the industry could be quite large.

Karin Schmid, beef production specialist with Alberta Beef Producers told CBC that “a five per cent improvement in feed efficiency would save the industry around $80 million per year.”

Schmid said the organization will continue supporting research into selecting feed-efficient cows.


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