UK company is developing cow mask to control methane emissions and fight climate change

Thanks to research and evidence, it is clear that humans are primarily responsible for climate change. As we have continued to rely more and more on technology and industries, we have polluted the world. But animals aren’t that innocent after all, especially cattle. By burping and farting, they release methane 84 times more toxic than carbon dioxide, contributing to greenhouse gases, equivalent to the fossil fuel industry.

Thus, innocent-looking animals are also responsible for the ruin of the planet that we are. As the war on climate change is on and scientists do all they can to protect our only habitat, technology will once again determine the factors that led to it. One of these technologies is aimed at cattle, in particular the dairy industry. To protect the planet from animals emitting methane, a UK-based start-up has come up with a solution: a mask. The start-up, named Zelp (Zero Emission Livestock Project), claims the mask was designed to reduce methane emissions in cattle by up to 60%.

“We were aware that in all countries, methane is one of the greatest contributions to global warming and we found that methane mitigation tools in agriculture are under-researched. There are no a lot of innovation in the field, ”co-founder Francisco Norris told Wired. Francisco and his brother Patricio own a breeding business in Argentina.

Cattle problem

The livestock industry is responsible for 7.1 gigatonnes of greenhouse gases, or 14.5% of all carbon emissions in the world, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. agriculture (FAO). The beef industry alone contributes 5.24 gigatonnes of emissions each year. In view of this, special attention was paid to controlling methane burps by designing additives for livestock feed. It alters the digestive process and contributes to the reduction of methane in the stomach of cattle.

However, chemical additives can become a problem for animal life and also for products. There have been numerous incidents of death related to SDS (Sudden Death Syndrome) due to additives. Thus, instead of altering the microbiology of the animal, it is better to offer a solution that would not interfere with the digestive process.

“About 95 percent of methane emissions from livestock come from their nostrils and mouths. The technology detects, captures and oxidizes methane when it is exhaled by animals,” Norris said.

How it works?

Unlike a human face mask, the cow mask does not cover the mouth. The mask with a zipper mechanism sits just above the nostrils, helping it capture methane from breathing and burping. The mask contains a sensor to detect the percentage of methane exhaled by the cow.

As the methane level increases, the mask begins the oxidation process. It uses a catalyst to convert methane (CH4) into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) and eject it from the mask, Wired reported. “This reduces the global warming potential of methane to less than 1.5 percent of its original value,” Norris said.

Besides the methane treatment function, the mask also works as a smart device for cows. It tracks the location of cattle using a GPS chip, in addition to measuring feeding activity and sexual receptivity in female cattle. The Norris brothers believe it will help livestock owners identify the early symptoms of a disease while helping lower the cost of farms.

The device has successfully passed tests conducted at institutions in Argentina in addition to the Royal Veterinary College in the United Kingdom. Studies have shown that the device has no impact on the animal’s behavior or diet. As global meat consumption is expected to increase by 70 percent over the next 30 years according to FAO, demand in the beef and dairy industries will also increase. Therefore, the Norris brothers believe their cow mask will be a step in the right direction in the fight against climate change.