CATTLE BREATHALYSER CAPTURING BURPS TO TRACK GHG IMISSIONS
New technology allows farmers to track methane emission levels from their cattle. The devices record a cow’s body weight and track how much greenhouse gases they are producing with each breath and burp. The technology will allow farmers to make decisions about the weight of their cattle and whether changes need to be made to their feed plan. Daniela Carnovale of Agscent, which is working with Optiweigh on the methane-detection devices, said it was “all about the breath”. “Every single breath tells a different story and we’ve been able to map the breath to give us insights on pregnancy, disease and methane.”
Agriculture contributes to about 17 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with the farming sector looking for ways to reduce.
Professor Luciano Gonzales, chair of the University of Sydney’s Sustainability Livestock Production committee, said the early results showed the relationship between an animal’s body weight and feed intake.”The results … show a mid to high correlation between weight and the level of methane emissions,” he said.
He said having access to the technology would allow farmers to breed animals for low emissions. “It will also mean help with decisions around nutritional management or the use of feed additives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”Professor Gonzales said it would also allow producers to estimate emissions.
“It has huge potential given it can provide real-time information on how much gases are being emitted, it’s a powerful tool for the industry.”
“No one breath is the same as another breath.”
The rollout of the technology comes as Australia attempts to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.
Cattle burps
Cattle are lured to the devices by the smell and taste of molasses.
They are then weighed and their methane emissions are recorded with each breath and burp.
Studies have found that ruminant livestock can emit between 200 and 500 litres of methane a day.
Dr Carnovale said 95 per cent of methane emissions from an animal came from its front end rather than its back end.
“Every animal emits in a different rate,” she said.
“So, by having a unit in the paddock while an animal is grazing and carrying out normal behaviours, it allows us to have more of an understanding about an animal’s variability when it comes to methane emissions.
“We’re also able to see the variability between animals and can see which animals are higher methane emitters than others.”
Excerpts from an Article by Tim Fookes for ABC Rural