Originally published Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Cow-belching study aims to cut methane
Researchers have stumbled on a way to stop cows from emitting methane — a potent greenhouse gas — when they belch, a finding...
TOKYO — Researchers have stumbled on a way to stop cows from emitting methane — a potent greenhouse gas — when they belch, a finding that could help the fight against global warming.
Methane generated when livestock belch while eating is said to account for about 5 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions. But supplementing the animals' diet with cysteine, a type of amino acid, and nitrate can reduce the methane produced by the animals, according to the researchers.
Methane is generated in the stomachs of ruminants, such as cows and sheep, as bacteria break down plant fibers. The gas is emitted into the atmosphere when the animals belch as they chew cud.
The research team at Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in Hokkaido, headed by professor Junichi Takahashi, initially noticed that dairy cattle that consume a large amount of nitrate from grass growing in soil doused with high levels of chemical fertilizer release only traces of methane when they belch.
The researchers stumbled on the relationship between nitrate and methane generation when they studied a mass poisoning outbreak among a herd of cows.
The team found that feeding the animals cysteine in addition to nitrate not only significantly cut the methane they generate but also helped prevent them from being poisoned.
The study also showed the nitrate does not affect milk quality. The amount of cysteine a cow needs each day costs about 95 cents, according to the researchers.
The university team has obtained a patent for the technique in Japan, the United States, Australia and two other countries.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Landmark health bill passes House on close vote
Fort Hood shooting suspect had shown troubling signs

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
- Using anti-shooter tactics, civilian Army police officer brought down gunman
- Heavy snow in Cascades shuts down roads
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- Consortium on verge of owning Eastside railway land
- UCLA game thread
940 - Weapons, bomb-making materials found in suspect's apartment
334 - Troubling portrait emerges of Fort Hood suspect
289 - Decision day for health care in the House
200 - McGinn widens lead over Mallahan in Seattle mayoral race
183 - U.S. House passes health plan
167 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
110 - Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
96 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
84 - Grading the game
52
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Consortium on verge of owning Eastside railway land
- Guest columnist | Cut the South Carolina jokes, Seattle. Get ready to compete
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor
- Movie review | 'An Education' you won't forget
- Do It in a Day | Spend a cozy, homey day in Edmonds
- Practical Mac | With new features, Apple's MobileMe is worth the price
- 10 ways to take control of your health





