Results tagged “dairyfarms”

Livestock animals are the number one source of methane gas emissions worldwide (third in the U.S.), and as such represent an important front in the battle on global warming. Though methane represents a smaller amount of emissions than carbon dioxide, it traps much more heat, making it a potentially significant threat to the environment. Vermont dairy farmers are now trying new diets to reduce cows' methane emissions and, hopefully, save us all. The new diet moves away from (government-subsidized) corn and soy toward alfalfa and flaxseed, foods more attuned to what cows were always meant to eat, rather than what the markets determined cheapest and most efficient for them to eat. Milk output remained steady and methane emissions dropped 18% at one farm that's tried the new diet. Short of everyone going vegan, this might be the best way to start reducing negatives effects of farming on the environment. more ›