New cattle diet cuts emissions

Bovine TB eradication group is set up to make recommendations to Government

published 8 September 2008

Cattle are being fed a new diet in Britain to reduce their burping and cut methane emissions, as part of Dairy UK's campaign to boost the dairy industry's green credentials.

Methane from the dairy herd is estimated to contribute 1% of the UK's total greenhouse emissions but, following trials in Wales for this new diet, milk yields were boosted by up to four litres each day, with methane emissions reduced by 20%.

CO2 emissions could be lowered by 1.6million tonnes each year if every UK dairy farm adopted the new diet, which is a relatively small portion of chopped straw and hay, mixed with silage, wheat, maize, soya or sugar beet, to encourage the cows to eat it.

The cattle are being fed a new diet as part of Dairy UK's campaign to boost the dairy industry's green credentials.

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