– We must have faith that research can find feed that produces less methane gas. Farmer Magne Thorvald Bakken wipes his sweat and regrets his choice of black overalls. The brown and white ones stroll happily in the grass at Møvig west of Kristiansand. They are southern views with a shoreline. They act like people. – When it gets hot, they escape to the sea, says the farmer. EFFECTIVE: In 1960 there were over half a million dairy cows in Norway. Today we have more than 200,000 – who make the same amount of milk. Photo: EIRIK DAMSGAARD / news Wandering biogas plants Gorine, Fenella and Fia on Bakken farm – and the rest of Norwegian agriculture – account for 8 percent of the emissions of greenhouse gases in Norway. Around half comes from the animals’ digestion of grass and leaves. In other words: methane gas from livestock alone accounts for 4 percent of Norwegian greenhouse gas emissions. – Ruminants produce methane gas in the rumen. It evaporates through the mouth when they breathe. A little comes out as a coup, says researcher Laila Aass at the Norwegian University of Environmental and Biosciences (NMBU). The stomach of ruminants is its own biogas plant. – Norwegian agriculture is largely based on milk and meat production. These animals have a unique ability to utilize forage that humans cannot use. But one of the end products will therefore be methane, says Aass. GOING TOGETHER: They promise a joint effort. From the left, CEO Gunnar Hovland (TINE), head of sustainability Andre Monsrud (Felleskjøpet) and CEO Anne Marit Panengstuen (Nortura). Photo: EIRIK DAMSGAARD / news Feed can become more expensive In 2019, the state and agriculture entered into an agreement on climate cuts until 2030. This week, the three farmer-owned alliances Tine, Felleskjøpet and Nortura are launching a joint front against methane. Two hundred thousand Norwegian dairy cows are blissfully unaware that they have to do a large part of the work. GUFFE: Greenhouse gases from manure make up 20 per cent of agricultural emissions. Photo: EIRIK DAMSGAARD / news They must exhale less gas. And fart less. – Overall, we now have enough projects underway to reach our climate targets for 2030. Among other things, intensive work has been done on additives to the feed. Red algae in the concentrate can reduce emissions by up to 20-30 per cent, says CEO Tine Gunnar Hovland. Head of sustainability at Felleskjøpet Andre Monsrud says “the most important thing is to work with the cow”. – Will a research-based and methane-friendly concentrate become more expensive? – It could cost something more. Here, all actors in the value chain must be part of a joint team. We will protect the farmers as far as possible, says Monsrud. VEGETABLE FORAGE: Livestock’s utilization of grass and leaves leads to methane gas. Most of it is exhaled. Around 5 percent is released at the back. Photo: EIRIK DAMSGAARD / news Researcher has faith A few miles away from the microphones and TV cameras during Arendal Week, farmer Bakken has 21 dairy cows that are noticeably drowsy in the late summer sun. – Right now we are struggling with the sources of protein in the feed, so we are very concerned with the practical. We have to set climate targets, says farmer Bakken. DAIRY FARMER: Farmer Magne Thorvald Bakken says 30 per cent of the cow food is concentrate. Photo: EIRIK DAMSGAARD / news – And we have to see what is feasible. But, … so, cut greenhouse gases. There is no way around it. Researcher Laila Aass at NMBU believes that changing the feed can contribute to cuts. – There has long been research into an approved feed additive that gives good results. It appears to have a long-lasting effect in reducing methane. I think this is the way to go. POSITIVE: – Feed additives that cut methane seem promising, says researcher Laila Aass. Photo: PRIVAT – But can agriculture manage its agreed cuts of 5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents by 2030? – They have a real opportunity, says Aass, and points out that the solution may lie in the relevant feed additive and better handling of the cow dung. What did you get out of Arendalsuka? 00:58 Would you vote the same as last year now? 00:57 Which topics are important to debate this year? 00:57 What annoys you most about Arendal Week? 00:59
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200,000 dairy cows will contribute – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
