Livestock Emissions Research

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.

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 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.