Biotechnology to reduce cattle flatulence and improve air
quality
As human populations increase, the need for food increases.
In turn, the cattle industry is growing, which means more waste from animal
production. According to new research, biotechnology can help increase food
production while reducing harmful gas output from cattle.
Researchers gave different groups of cattle implants,
Ionophores and Beta-adrenergic agonists to help cattle grow more efficiently. These animals were then placed in special
corrals that trapped emissions for testing. They also injected dairy cows with
rBST to increase milk production. They argue that the rBST group produced more
milk per cow. When cows produce more milk, greenhouse gas emissions decrease
because farms need fewer cows.
“Dr. Kim Stackhouse, National Cattleman's Beef Association
Director of Sustainability, said animal agriculture has reduced emissions
through the use of technologies. Technologies that improve animal performance,
crop yields, and manure management and the installation of biogas recovery
systems have all contributed to reducing the environmental impact of beef” (SD,
2013).
You can decide how comfortable you are with any biotechnology
being used to alter the normal biological functions of livestock. But it is
good to be informed of what is happening in the industry.
You can research lonophores and beta-adrenergic agonists
through our online
databases found here.
You can also have quick look on Wikipedia here.
References:
Image credit: http://chrisal.ca/Better_Cleaning_for_Dairy_Cattle.htm
SD (Science Daily), 2013. Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130701163939.htm
C. J. Neumeier, F. M. Mitloehner. Cattle biotechnologies
reduce environmental impact and help feed a growing planet. Animal Frontiers,
2013; 3 (3): 36
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