Scientists tackle methane energy loss
7 August 2000
Scientists tackle methane energy loss
RESEARCHERS are working to reduce the 10% of energy put into cattle which is lost as methane.
Up to 2.3million dairy cows in UK produce around 230,000 tonnes of methane a year, reducing yields and damaging the ozone layer.
Professor David Beever of the centre for dairy research at the University of Reading told the BBC Radio 4 Farming Today programme this must be tackled.
Its a loss weve accepted over the years but as margins become tight, weve clearly got to try to address those issues.
He said there are strong indications that maize silage diets produce less methane than grass silage diets.
Feed supplements which add oil and fatty acids also tend to bring down methane production, as do some feed additives.
- Bugs to tackle methane from cattle, FWi, 27 July 2000
- Cattle feed claimed to cut methane, FWi, 13 April 2000
- Research backs official pledge to reduce methane, FWi, 12 November 1999
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