Isra-Mart srl:Cows and lasers, together at last in the fight against methane

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Isra-Mart srl news:

Many might assume that lasers and cows don't have any business being in the same sentence, but they would be wrong. Researchers are pointing one at the other in order to more accurately measure methane emissions from large herds, in a development that could establish the extent to which cattle contribute to climate change.

The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Lethbridge Research Centre, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and the University of Melbourne in Australia are working together on a system that uses lasers to measure methane levels from 18 cows across a paddock, while also keeping track of cattle position. The system, which takes wind speed and pressure into account, was used to create a dispersion model for methane over a 24-hour period.

Methane production from cattle generally depends on the volume and type of feed intake. Measuring that methane production therefore involves changing the feed intake, which is an intrusive process.

"There is a need for this approach for roaming cattle in large paddocks that are characteristic of cattle grazing systems," said an article by the researchers,
published in the latest edition of the Journal of Environmental Quality.

The new system points a laser situated in one corner of a paddock at five reflectors surrounding the area. The laser can then detect the level of methane at any given point in the path.

The system was complemented by GPS devices attached to each of the cows, which tracks their movements, giving a picture of the cows and the methane levels at various points throughout the measurement period. A three-dimensional sonic anemometer was then also used to measure wind speed.

It remains to be seen whether the system could be used to help determine greenhouse gas emissions for evaluating the feasibility of methane-based power generation. Several such projects have now been installed at large cattle farms.