Fish oils offer hope against flatulent cows
Fish oils calm cattle down
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Monday, 30, Mar 2009 07:20
Irish researchers have unveiled their latest weapon in the fight against climate change – fish oils.
Omega 3 fatty acids commonly found in fish oils have well-documented health benefits for humans.
Now, it appears, they may have benefits for the planet too. In addition to helping the heart and circulatory system they have been linked to helping cut methane emissions too.
Flatulent cattle represent one of the biggest sources of global warming. The 900 billion tonnes of methane emissions produced each year is 20 times more effective at trapping solar energy than carbon dioxide.
By including two per cent fish oil in the diet of cattle scientists from University College Dublin found the methane emissions fell.
Lorraine Lillis, one of the researchers, said: "The fish oil affects the methane-producing bacteria in the rumen part of the cow's gut, leading to reduced emissions.
"Understanding which microbial species are particularly influenced by changes in diet and relating them to methane production could bring about a more targeted approach to reducing methane emissions in animals."
A cap currently being considered by climate change experts on the number of farm animals may be made unnecessary because of the breakthrough, it was suggested.