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Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

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Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#3
The article only mentions that consuming this particular seaweed eliminates methane. I am missing the production perspective. How much more/less greenhouse gasses are created during production of the seaweed compared to traditional fodder? The net total is what counts.

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#4
post #3

The article only mentions that consuming this particular seaweed eliminates methane. I am missing the production perspective. How much more/less greenhouse gasses are created during production of the seaweed compared to traditional fodder? The net total is what counts.

Well the seaweed itself would take up some CO2 during growth... so you have that bonus too. I'd guess the major costs would come during transport.

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#5
Does that require the cows to be entirely fed on the seaweed or does it work as part of a mixture?

Edit: found the paper: https://sci-hub.ac/10.1071/AN15576

According to figure 2 it looks like 2-10% of the feed is sufficient to achieve near-total methane reduction and <5% does not negatively affect digestibility, so 2-5% is the sweet spot.

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#8
post #3

The article only mentions that consuming this particular seaweed eliminates methane. I am missing the production perspective. How much more/less greenhouse gasses are created during production of the seaweed compared to traditional fodder? The net total is what counts.

[deleted]

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#10
post #4
post #3

The article only mentions that consuming this particular seaweed eliminates methane. I am missing the production perspective. How much more/less greenhouse gasses are created during production of the seaweed compared to traditional fodder? The net total is what counts.

Well the seaweed itself would take up some CO2 during growth... so you have that bonus too. I'd guess the major costs would come during transport.

Seaweed dries and rehydrates well, and like all vegetables it's mostly water, so if it's grown somewhere where it can be sun-dried then total energy cost for transport could be low.
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