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.
To comment on this article, use the comment box below, or email us at clonews@ipcmedia.com. Read more about the countryside.
-
The Country Life guide to Somerset: What to do, where to stay and how to eatSomerset is rich in natural beauty and history, but it is its wealth of small-scale food and drink producers, farmers and makers that really set it apart from the competition. Find out how to make the most of it all with our indispensable guide.
-
How to make a gloomy city garden into a haven of colour and natureTiffany Daneff discovers how to transform a typically dark London back garden into a light-filled green haven that is always in use. Photographs by Clive Nichols.
