Farmers can use feed additives to reduce methane emissions from cow burps + Digital twin technology is on its way to becoming a best practice
Cow burps could slow climate change, but the added expense may discourage farmers, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing research from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Cow burps (which emit methane) are one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture — which, as a sector, accounts for approximately one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, according to UN estimates. The study assessed nearly 100 ways for reducing enteric methane emissions and found five methods that reduce emissions per unit of milk or meat by an average of 21% without hindering animal productivity, and three additional methods that actually boosted animal productivity and reduced emissions of milk or meat by an average of 12%.
The best performing strategies: Methane inhibitor, Bovaer — a feed additive created by Dutch chemical manufacturer DSM — has been demonstrated to reduce emissions by an average 30% in dairy cows and 45% in beef cattle. Giving livestock additional feed is also a simple yet effective way to increase productivity. “A better-fed animal produces more meat and milk relative to any extra methane it may emit during digestion,” the WSJ reports. Incorporating oilseeds, such as canola, into their diets and encouraging cattle to graze on younger grasses — which are lower in fiber and more easily digested — both also result in reductions.
But there may be resistance to the uptake: Some farmers may be hesitant to implement these tactics despite their efficacy, Claudia Arndt, lead author of the study explains. Modifying established procedures, by purchasing new feeds or additives or reseeding pastures, may increase costs, even though they may be proven to increase total production.
Digital twin technology isn’t new, but it’s widely expected to become more common in 2023: “Digital twin” technology — which creates digital simulations of a real product or process used for testing, monitoring, and maintenance — is transitioning from highly specialized applications to becoming best practice in management, CNBC reports. This growth is likened to the boom in artificial intelligence over the past few years — although it’s not exactly a new concept, signs are now pointing to it becoming widely adopted. In addition to having several applications, digital twin technology has the potential to replace historical data-driven models, which “lack the ability to account for deviations and disruptions,” according to Frank Diana, principal futurist at Tata Consultancy Services.
The technology has various applications: Businesses are utilizing virtual product development twins to speed up the design and development cycle. They also use the technology to visualize, experiment with, and carry out business decisions by creating simulations that replicate important corporate entities, their interactions with one another, and external influences like competitors or natural disasters. Smart city initiatives are also utilizing the technology; for example, to better design its mobility infrastructure, Los Angeles is using digital twin technologies to “model transportation movement and activity, such as ride sharing and autonomous drones,” Diana explains.
Life sciences applications: Instead of depending on animal testing, pharma and cosmetic businesses can utilize twins to test how to deliver new medications or products on human skin digitally, Diana suggests. Digital twins are also being utilized in the life sciences to replicate human organs, opening up new avenues for research and treatment.