by Daniel Brouse
CALIFORNIA — “Quite frankly, we want them to expel gas so they don’t explode,” said Anja Raudabaugh, chief executive of Western United Dairymen.
The California dairy industry is fighting back against proposed regulations to curb greenhouse gas emitted by belching and farting cows. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has set a goal of reducing methane emissions. There are over five-and-half million cows in California.
“The focus here is to highlight ARB’s efforts at over-regulating the dairy industry,” said Anja Raudabaugh. “By nature’s design, cows pass lots of gas.”
The ARB proposes “improved manure management practices, new diets for cattle and gut microbial interventions.”