Burp science: How UW-Platteville is turning cow gas into research gold

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Pioneer Farm is leading the way in agricultural innovation with the introduction of the GreenFeed machine, a groundbreaking technology in livestock emissions research. The machine, designed to analyze cow burps, helps combat global warming by providing critical data on methane emissions from dairy farms, enabling farmers to optimize feed and reduce the environmental impact of livestock.

"The GreenFeed machine offers a unique opportunity to directly measure the microbial activity within the cow's digestive system," said Dr. Ryan Pralle, assistant professor of animal, dairy and veterinary sciences at UW-Platteville's School of Agriculture. "This capability not only aids in improving cattle nutrition but also contributes to more sustainable farming practices by monitoring and potentially reducing methane emissions."

This sophisticated green box is placed in feeding areas where cows can approach it freely. Equipped with an RFID tag system to identify individual cows, the GreenFeed machine dispenses feed pellets to attract the cows. As the cows consume and regurgitate their food, the machine captures and analyzes the gases they emit through an advanced stove pipe system.

By measuring the composition of gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen and hydrogen, the GreenFeed machine provides invaluable data to optimize feed formulations. It also plays a crucial role in addressing the environmental impact of methane emissions from livestock. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is a significant concern for sustainable farming practices, and the insights gained from the GreenFeed machine are pivotal in developing strategies to mitigate its effects.

With its commitment to innovation and sustainability, UW-Platteville's Pioneer Farm is shaping the future of dairy farming and setting new standards in agricultural research in the tri-state area.

*The GreenFeed equipment was funded by a USDA Non-Land Grant Capacity building grant. The Dairy Innovation Hub is paying for initial training and service fees. The GreenFeed machinejoins two other high-tech systems at Pioneer Farm, including the RIC2Discover feed intake machines and Lely A5 Astronaut robotic milkers. For the full story, visit: Technology at Pioneer Farm

For more information on Dairy Innovation Hub, visit: www.dairyinnovationhub.wisc.edu