Farming: Green Cow drive to cut emissions

Sheep and cattle have been framed as one of the big contributors to greenhouse gas production with their system of digestion creating large amounts of methane gas.

It is estimated that agriculture produces almost 7 per cent of the UK's total emissions of these gases and ruminant livestock contributes about one-third of that total.

But these same animals are also vital in converting Scotland's abundant grassland into food for human consumption and, therefore, they play an important role in the Scottish economy.

That contradiction and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions provided the background for the 1.3 million research project opened this week by Richard Lochhead, Cabinet secretary for rural affairs on the Scottish Agricultural College's research campus on the south side of Edinburgh.

The new "Green Cow" building, which houses specialist equipment for accurate measurement of livestock inputs and outputs has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Scottish Government, with additional investment by SAC.

Speaking at the opening, Lochhead said the facility gave SAC and Scotland "a significant lead in global efforts to help farming, food and rural businesses address the challenges of climate change.

"It gives us a seat at the table in national and international networks addressing these issues".

Bill McKelvey, SAC's chief executive, saw the project as harnessing "the best science to devise efficient food production systems which lower our carbon footprint.

"To do that, we need accurate data and the new Green Cow facilities will do just that. The special buildings, where animals will be housed for short periods of time while measurements are made, are the best in Britain, among the best in the world and designed with animal welfare a priority."