Fish Oil Could Control Methane-Packed Cow Farts

by Stephanie Rogers · View Comments

When cows fart – which they do, a lot – one of the most potent greenhouse gases in existence is released in huge quantities. That, of course, contributes to global warming. But how do we get all the cows on the planet to stop passing gas? Scientists have tried trapping it in tanks strapped to the cows’ backs and other crazy measures, and the latest one is really fishy: using fish oil to reduce cow flatulence.

From Live Science:

Specifically, including 2 percent fish oil in the diet of cattle reduces flatulence, apparently due to the omega 3 fatty acids in the oil. The study was a small one, however. The technique cut methane output of three cows by 21 percent, said Lorraine Lillis of the University College Dublin.

“The fish oil affects the methane-producing bacteria in the rumen part of the cow’s gut, leading to reduced emissions,” Lillis said. “Understanding which microbial species are particularly influenced by changes in diet and relating them to methane production could bring about a more targeted approach to reducing methane emissions in animals.”

Asked about the overall potential benefits fish-oil, Lillis told LiveScience she didn’t know yet what effect it might have on a larger group of cattle. She also acknowledged a possible shortcoming of the scheme: “There may be some trade-off as fish oil is expensive and difficult to get,” she said. Also not considered yet, she said, is whether it would put undue pressure on fish populations.

It’s certainly an interesting approach, and nowhere near as silly as cows with pink fart balloons attached to them. Of course, the best approach would be for as many people as possible to reduce the amount of meat they eat or stop altogether, which would reduce demand for cows and cut the population. But that’s too much to ask, apparently, so here we are.

Link [Live Science]
Photo credit: Flickr user Flikr

Tagged as: Climate, Cows, Greenhouse Gases, Methane

Kent

Global warming is a hoax, google: Bill Coleman global warming, polar ice caps on Mars melting, Alex Jones global warming, the ultimate global warming challenge.

Al Gore's father was corrupt and sold off oil reserves in Bakersfield to Occidental Petroleum- he comes from a political family in bed with the oil companies. He wants to carbon tax the middle class to death.

The goals of the global warming hoax:
1. Cashless banking and society (do you trust bankers?)
2. Carbon tax designed to kill the middle class (what about
corporate pollution that is poisoning our food and water?)
3. RFID- the radio frequency ID chip designed to monitor your
mileage (and your whereabouts)
4. Confiscation of land by the Federal gov't (no thank you)

I'LL KEEP MY MONEY AND MY FREEDOM AND YOU CAN KEEP THE "CHANGE"

kylah

This is a rediculously under thought out idea. We need to stop raising cows for food if we are honestly concerned about global warming. The earth, as we are all aware, is in the midst of a crisis that we human's have been steadily further perpetuating for the past sixty some odd years as our meat eating habits increase.
Cow farts are only part of the problem; the very significant other half relates to the loss of forests due to clear cutting for land to both raise these cows, as well as for growing their food, on. I know this is a touchy subject, and it very well should be. Major lifestyle changes need to be undertaken by the people of developed nations if we are honestly wanting to reverse the damage we've done. Here are some facts you might find helpful to know:
According to John Robbins in his book, Diet for a New America:
"The livestock population of the United States consumes enough grain and soybeans to feed over five times the human population."
and
"For each acre of American forest that is cleared to make room for parking lots, roads, houses, shopping centers,...seven acres of forest are converted into land for grazing livestock and/or growing livestock feed."
Please take this all into consideration, as meat eating, and the major industry it has become, is the number one cause of environmental destruction and world hunger.
Also, and lastly, flax seed oil is every bit as beneficial, when speaking of Omega fatty acids, as fish oil.
"As long as there are slaughter houses, there will be battlefields" said Tolstoy; ponder the many levels on which his words ring true...and thank you for reading.

tim

Aren't we prohibiting the bacteria from a full life by using the fish oil in the cows food? What right do we have to dictate to the bacteria its life or death? Come on guys, this is no answer.

Scott

I'm looking for a video on global warming that I can show to kidsfrom grades 3 to 8. Global Warming is the greatest challenge facing the human race and we have to tell our kids about it. Such a show needs to explain the facts yet keep it low key and not too scary and outline how kids can get involved to help reduce the threat. Any ideas or suggestions.