New diets for cows, sheep could cut emissions

[pulledpork]

New diets for cows, sheep could cut emissions

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110404/od_nm/us_cows_emissions

LONDON (Reuters) – New diets for cows and sheep could reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, research funded by the Department for environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) shows.
Feeding the animals maize silage, naked oats and higher sugar grasses could reduce the amount of methane they produce, the study by Reading University and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences showed.
Agriculture accounts for around nine per cent of all British greenhouse gas emissions. Most of this comes from sheep, cows and goats.
Farming accounts for 41 per cent of Britain's overall methane emissions, which are harmful to the environment.

[TheWraith]

1. This would be a very big deal.

Although it breaks down relatively quickly, while it lasts methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than CO2.

[FLPanhandle]

2. Or they could just eat grass

Of course, the steaks wouldn't be as marbled, but that's a small sacrifice.

[orwell]

3. That's a radical concept...

...cows eating grass.

It'll never fly...