Wed Sep 18 02:14:22 UTC 2024: ## Breathalysing Cows: New Technology Helps Farmers Tackle Methane Emissions
**Sydney, Australia** – A new technology is helping Australian farmers tackle their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions by breathalysing their cattle. This groundbreaking technology, developed by Agscent in collaboration with Optiweigh, measures the methane emissions of cows, providing valuable data for farmers to make informed decisions about their livestock.
The devices, placed on five farms in NSW and Queensland, as well as one in Kansas, USA, lure cows with molasses and then record their body weight and methane emissions with each breath and burp. This allows farmers to track individual animals and identify those with higher emissions, paving the way for targeted interventions.
“Every single breath tells a different story,” explained Dr. Daniela Carnovale of Agscent. “We’ve been able to map the breath to give us insights on pregnancy, disease and methane.”
The technology comes at a crucial time, as Australia aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. The agriculture industry is a major contributor to these emissions, with livestock responsible for around 70% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in NSW alone.
Jon Wright, a cattle farmer near Cowra, NSW, has embraced the new technology. “It’s not our fault, we’re not bad people, but we do need to take responsibility for it,” he said. “It’s exciting if we can improve efficiency and productivity and show a good story for the industry to show we are taking responsibility for the emissions we’re producing.”
The devices are helping farmers understand the link between cow size and methane emissions. “Some in the industry believe a bigger cow is better, but the bigger the cattle, the more methane they produce,” said Wright. “This technology allows us to better tune what we understand about that path.”
The NSW Department of Primary Industries supports the technology, believing it can facilitate changes in livestock management strategies, including feed additives and genetic selection, to further reduce emissions.
Professor Luciano Gonzales, chair of the University of Sydney’s Sustainability Livestock Production committee, sees the technology as a game-changer. “It has huge potential given it can provide real-time information on how much gases are being emitted, it’s a powerful tool for the industry.”
The technology is a promising step towards reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and creating a more sustainable agricultural future.
First Piper 