Cows have an amazing digestion system. They can turn cellulose (wood) into food, milk and meat. In other words, they can convert non-protein into highly valuable protein used to feed the world population. Today’s challenge is the impact on sustainability, as the cows amazing digestion system also produces methane gas that contributes to the global warming. Each year a  single cow will belch out about 100 kg of methane. Methane is shorter lived than carbon dioxide but 28 times more potent. With the words  population reaching 10 billion by 2050 the solution might be to eat less beef. Cows and other ruminants account for 4 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the US. Globally livestock is considered (WHO) to account for 14.5 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions.

As cows are part of the problem, they might also be part of the solution in providing healthy protein to a growing world population. Some argue as their grazing on grassland takes area away from other agricultural forms. If managed well grasslands are very healthy ecosystems with a great variety of sensitive species and the roots that help store CO2 in the soil. The research solutions now include looking into the genetics of the cows, as there are big differences in the methane production based on genetics. Additionally, the feed for the cows has turned out very important and is a hot research topic. A feeding trial has demonstrated that adding 1% of seaweed to the diet has given 60% reduction in methane emissions. Collecting the methane may be another solution that could work in some cases. Hopefully our grandchildren will be able to drink a glass of healthy milk and eat beef as part of a successful management of the globe as a healthy ecosystem.