Ruminations

According to an article in the New York Times (June 4, 2009), Vermont farmers are experimenting with a change in diet to see if the level of methane produced by cows changes. Methane is linked to global warming, and any decrease in the amount of cows’ methane is a good thing. According to the article:

“Since January, cows at 15 farms across Vermont have had their grain feed adjusted to include more plants like alfalfa and flaxseed — substances that, unlike corn or soy, mimic the spring grasses that the animals evolved long ago to eat.  As of the last reading in mid-May, the methane output of Mr. Choiniere’s herd had dropped 18 percent. Meanwhile, milk production has held its own.

“The program was initiated by Stonyfield Farm, the yogurt manufacturer, at the Vermont farms that supply it with organic milk.”

Results look promising. Of course, we firmly believe that grass-fed cattle are best for lots of reasons, including this one. Less methane is produced from cattle that don’t burp as much.

Read the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/us/05cows.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Filed by admin at 11:16 pm under Better Beef
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