y CLYNTON NAMUO
New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
DURHAM ? University of New Hampshire and outside researchers are creating a computer model to help organic dairy farmers cut greenhouse gas emissions such as methane, because Beano probably isn't an option.
Nitrogen- and carbon-based greenhouse gases are produced via a complicated system at dairy farms that is affected by everything from the weather to the soil to the feed to cow burps, among other things.
"Cows emit most of their methane through belching, only a small fraction from flatulence," said the project's principal investigator, Ruth Varner of UNH's Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space.
UNH has been awarded a $700,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to create a computer model that measures the amount of greenhouse gases an organic dairy farm produces and thus provide ways to cut those emissions.
UNH has won a $700,000 to grant to study greenhouse gas emissions from organic dairies, which are cause by cow burps, among other things. (COURTESY)
Varner said the study will focus on the waste streams at farms. Using UNH's own organic dairy farm as a testing ground, researchers will measure things like how spreading manure on pastures will affect the amount of greenhouse gases produced.
The idea is to use the various factors to create a computer model that farmers can use to plug in data for their own farms.
"The real goal is to get a decision support tool that captures the very complicated biology of these systems and uses rigorous science that can support the model results," said Bill Salas, president of Applied GeoSolutions LLC, which is creating the computer model.
Salas said even small changes in the system -- such as changing what type of feed animals receive -- can ripple through the system and affect how much greenhouse gas is made.
There are many ways to cut how much gas is produced, such as leaving manure out rather than putting it in water, Salas said. The question is how to do it best at an organic dairy. What works for one dairy may not work for another, he said.
The computer model will be tested with Londonderry-based Stonyfield Farms and Organic Valley, of Wisconsin.
The grant will also be used to create programs meant to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crops, which tend to be significantly more expensive.
YOUR COMMENTS
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Well, that's a great use of taxpayer money. Genius.
- Mike, Manchester, NH
What could be done with 700K?
Supply about 250,000 gallons of heating oil for the elderly and shelters.
Operate a food pantry for 5 years or more.
70 college grants of $10,000 for deserving students.
Road/bridge repairs.
Healthcare assistance for seniors.
Conservation land preservation.
Hot lunch programs in schools.
Books for schools.
Welcome to the United States of Europe!
- Gunner, Tampa
So... Cows are farting and burping... I'm confused as to why this is affecting the climate now, but hasn't for the rest of the God-knows how long cows have been around on the planet... And why no other animals are contributing... And why none of the other posts about this have thought about that yet...
- Brendan, Around
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Neo cons say cut spending , we need to cut spending.
OK how ?
Uh well uhhhh we could uhhhhhhh
How about stopping this kind of chit.
And if you were able to track down how this grant was approved you would find out it was a old time term limit Senator millionaire taking care of his home state for doing a favor for someone and getting a free vacation or money under the table.
its amazing Mags and DTBlackassgumby cant understand this concept of cutting spending.
