Solving the cow burp problem

Agriculture in the U.S. produces more methane than the American oil and gas industry, and the biggest share of that agricultural methane is from enteric fermentation – essentially cow burps. Cows and other ruminant animals release methane because of the way they digest food. And as animal protein consumption rises, so will enteric emissions.

It’s a problem for climate change, but also for farmers. Methane is wasted energy that could have been used for beef or dairy production – and so enteric methane production is a challenge that researchers have been trying to solve for years. Some promising solutions are starting to make it into practice.

In this episode, Shayle talks to Charles Brooke, program manager for enteric methane at Spark Climate Solutions. Shayle and Charles cover topics like:

• Why most enteric methane comes from small-holder pasture-raised animals, instead of feed-lot-raised animals.
• The different solutions in the pipeline, such as better livestock management, feed additives, vaccines, and breeding.
• The challenges with feed additives that animals must eat everyday, like bromoform, Bovaer, and 3-NOP.
• How vaccines and breeding could shift global populations more permanently.
• The barriers to adoption, such as regulatory hurdles and public skepticism.

Recommended Resources:

Federation of American Scientists: Climate-Smart Cattle: US Research and Development Will Improve Animal Productivity, Address Greenhouse Gases, and Hasten Additional Market Solutions

USAID: Endline Methane Assessment of KCDMS Dairy and Fodder Value Chain Activities in Kenya

Food Climate Research Network: Grazed and Confused 

American Society for Microbiology: The Role of microbes in Mediating Climate Change

Environmental Defense Fund: Tackling Enteric Methane

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