5
Swiss try to stop cows burping
Sunday September 5, 2010 - Email this article to a friend
It is not April 1st. The Swiss really are making an attempt to prevent their cows, and sheep for that matter, from burping as it is contributing to greenhouse gases and thus global warming.
The animals produce methane as they chew grass and it is estimated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation that animals are responsible for 18% of all the greenhouse gas emissions.
It may be a bit of a tenuous link some say the animals grazing away in the Alps on the lower pastures are indirectly contributing to the melting of the glaciers on the higher reaches of the Alps as greenhouse gasses lead to global temperature rises. However it might well be.
So, how do the animals do this?
Well cows, goats and many other animals are what are called, ruminants. They have 4 stomachs, or more accurately one stomach that is divided into four separate parts, and as they graze the material is broken down in the four compartments.
Cows and sheep are not very selective in what they eat as they are foraging grasses and as the foodstuff is broken down in the stomach methane is produced.
Contrary to what some say the gasses are released via the mouth rather than the other end.
Responsible for the glaciers melting?Now Swiss scientists are looking at ways to ensure the animals do not eat things that produce so much methane and can be broken down more easily.
In short it appears the animals need to be offered a better diet, with some supplements.
Perhaps Jamie Oliver should offer advice at this point?
In Switzerland it is estimated that over 75% of methane emissions come from agriculture, ie cows, goats and sheep, as they chew the cud.
It is predominantly dairy cows.
Now scientists believe that certain vegetation could neurtralise the micro-organisms responsible for creating the methane during the digestive process.
It simply involves adding powdered tannins to the hay according to this report on swissinfo that we have read and, er, digested here at PlanetSKI.
It claims methane emissions dropped by up to 40%.
In addition the animals could be offered better quality food to graze on in the first place.
Much time, energy and effort is spent analysing the direct influence man has on rising greenhouse gases levels with our use of fossil fuels.
Perhaps more effort should be spend on the animals we look after.
The Swiss are looking into it on the slopes of The Alps.
For more information on rumination see here.
Bookmark this page
Related Articles
First back flip on sit ski (Saturday February 11, 2012)Eddie Murphy not dead in snowboarding accident (Friday February 10, 2012)
Skiing at half-term (Thursday February 9, 2012)
Snowboarders injured more than skiers (Monday February 6, 2012)
Husband digs wife out of avalanche (Friday February 3, 2012)
Boy dangles from chairlift (Thursday February 2, 2012)
