How creating less-gassy cows could help fight climate change

A Curtin University study has revealed breeding less-flatulent cows and restoring agricultural land could significantly reduce rising methane emission levels, which play a considerable role in climate change.

The food system, including grazing animals such as cows, generates major sources of methane mainly due to cattle digestion, manure decomposition and land use for grazing.

To look for solutions, researchers from the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute analyzed 27 academic publications and identified dozens of potential strategies to reduce methane emissions from Australia's beef and dairy sectors. "Meta-Analysis and Ranking of the Most Effective Methane Reduction Strategies for Australia's Beef and Dairy Sector" was published in Climate.

Study lead Merideth Kelliher said the fastest way to lower methane emissions would be to convert farmland into wetlands and forests; however, there was a lot of scope for improvement by altering the operations of the dairy and beef sectors.

"For example, changing what breeding objectives include can permanently reduce methane production," Kelliher said.

"Studies have found low emission cattle have inheritable genetic traits which can significantly reduce methane production if included in national breeding objectives.

"While more research is needed to identify the best traits for low emission cows, consideration should also be given to land use emissions and identifying suitable agricultural land for restoration to natural habitat."

Other strategies to emerge from the study include finding ways for cows to reach maturity faster, improving wastewater management at beef processing plants and providing ozonated water (water treated with ozone gas to remove impurities), feeding cattle more grains than grass and adding certain legumes, seaweeds or other compounds to cattle feed.

Co-author and Curtin Professor of Sustainability Dora Marinova said this was the first time such analysis had been conducted and was important given methane emissions are increasing along with global demand for beef and dairy products.

"As the world's second biggest beef exporter, Australia contributes to global methane levels significantly," Professor Marinova said.

"Despite being a signatory of the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse emissions and a supporter of the Global Methane Pledge, Australia is yet to commit to methane reduction targets.

"Australia needs to explore ways to meet its objectives—this study outlines several potential strategies which are practical, cost-effective and scientifically supported to help inform local and international policy makers' efforts to reduce the impact of climate change."

Co-author and Curtin Research Fellow Dr. Diana Bogueva said this scenario analysis is important also for consumers to better understand the environmental footprint of their food choices.