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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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9

Dairy Farmers Switch Feed to Curb Burps

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(Newser) – Vermont dairy farmers are changing their cows’ diets in an effort to fight climate change, the AP reports. Milk production accounts for 2% of the country’s greenhouse gases, the vast majority of which comes from the methane-rich burps of cattle. Now, 16 farms working with Stonyfield Farm Inc. are feeding their cows a gas-reducing mix of flaxseed, alfalfa, and grasses instead of soy and corn.

"It's just the right thing to do," an industry rep says. One farm has already reduced belching by 18%, and there are plenty of other benefits to the new feed mix. The cows’ coats look shinier, and they have fewer foot and stomach problems. Plus, it hasn’t cost the farmers a dime extra.

This June 16, 2009 photo shows a Holstein cow at Coventry Valley Farm in Coventry, Vt.
This June 16, 2009 photo shows a Holstein cow at Coventry Valley Farm in Coventry, Vt.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
Yogurt maker Stonyfield Farm wants its cows to burp less. It's for a noble cause: cutting down on the gases that contribute to global warming.
Yogurt maker Stonyfield Farm wants its cows to burp less. It's for a noble cause: cutting down on the gases that contribute to global warming.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
This June 16, 2009 photo shows Tim Maikshilo posing with one of his young Holsteins in Coventry, Vt.
This June 16, 2009 photo shows Tim Maikshilo posing with one of his young Holsteins in Coventry, Vt.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
Working with 15 Vermont farms to change cows' diets so they emit less methane, Stonyfield Farms has already reduced cow burping by as much as 18%.
Working with 15 Vermont farms to change cows' diets so they emit less methane, Stonyfield Farms has already reduced cow burping by as much as 18%.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
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I just figured a cow was a cow and they were going to do whatever they were going to do in terms of cow things for gas. - Kristen Dellert, farmer

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9 comments
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AnnieChrist
Jun 21, 09 3:23 PM CDT
"One farm has already reduced belching by 18%,..." CNN is on the scene with Ali Belcher who recorded this conversation between an Iowa farmer and his wife: "Great news, honey, ole Bessie only burped 8 times today, normally she belches 10. Let's go to Denny's to celebrate!" Reply
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freethemall
Jun 21, 09 4:01 PM CDT
If the new feed mix is better in more ways than one, and cost no more, then why was it not always used? Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
anchower
Jun 21, 09 5:05 PM CDT
Exactly.
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
zozo
Jun 21, 09 5:15 PM CDT
The excess subsidised (by US taxpayers) corn and soy fed to cows not only profited agribusinesses (the largest of which is also the biggest privately owned company in the world), but also ensured somewhere to dump the surplus. For more details, read Felicity Lawrence's "Eat Your Heart Out," which explains much about the political forces behind food, and what it's doing to the health of animals we eat, and thus us humans.
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shonangreg
Jun 21, 09 11:14 PM CDT
Exactly.
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