CALF_News_August_September_2021

31 CALF News • August | September 2021 • www.calfnews.net Dairies capture some of the methane by covering their lagoons, Mitloehner said. It’s then converted into RNG, or renewable natural gas, and sold as fuel for semis. “Our dairy industry has reduced its carbon footprint by 25 percent,” he said. Beyond that, ongoing research is looking at feed additives that can reduce enteric methane, what’s burped out by cattle, by 10 percent to 50 percent What’s more, you don’t have to live in California to partici- pate.“You can cover your lagoon and sell your low carbon fuel standard credits to California,” he said. Is methane capture possible for feedyards? Time will tell, but the opportunity is there and it’s huge, he said. No doubt methane is a potent greenhouse gas. But it’s also a potent opportunity for cattle producers, beef and dairy alike, to induce immediate atmospheric cooling, “and that is one short- term tool to help us in our fight on global warming,” he said. “In my opinion, livestock production can be climate neutral – not carbon neutral, but climate neutral – within the foreseeable future. Our livestock industries need to get on this and need to get on this quickly because you have the potential to be a significant solution in the climate discussion of this country and worldwide.”  Service • SaleS • partS Dodge City, Kan. 1501 South Second 800-280-7150 Scott City, Kan. 40 East Road 160 800-280-7251 Service on all mixers and electronic sales – all makes and models . Highest Standards in Product, Service and Customer Satisfaction! www.midwestmixer.com located in the Heartland for all Your cattle Feeding Needs. product liNeS Harsh • Kuhn Knight Laird Mfg. • Kirby Mfg. Scott City Parts 1006 West 5th 620-872-7007 Strategically located in the heart of the cattle-feeding industry, we provide over 100 years of combined experience and knowledge. CATTLE AND CLIMATE CHANGE Continued from page 23 Fred Ohles of Lincoln, under the cowboy hat, catches up on a few winks while his wife Rosemary waits. The Columbus Ball was the 7th or 8th the Ohles have attended. ABOVE: Jane Peterson, left, and Debra Girard, both of Osceola, look over a painting for sale to the highest bidder at the silent auction. ABOVE RIGHT: Doug Salmon, left, and son Pat, sold wooden artwork at the General Store. With this year’s focus on tractors, antique machinery outlined many of the tents.