Satellites have detected methane emissions from belching cows at a California feedlot for the first time.
In February, the environmental data firm GHGSat analyzed data from its satellites. It determined the methane source from a feedlot in California’s San Joaquin Valley near Bakersfield.
According to GHGSat, this is noteworthy since agricultural methane emissions are difficult to detect. Also, reliable measurement is needed to set enforceable reduction targets for the beef industry.
If the amount of methane discovered from that particular feedlot was able to sustain for a year, it would result in 5,116 tonnes of methane emissions, according to GHGSat. According to estimates this amount of methane can power over 15,000 homes.
Agriculture accounts for 9.6% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and 36% of methane emissions, largely from cattle, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Late last year, the Biden administration proposed a plan to reduce methane emissions from the US economy.
Methane emissions reduction
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its first rules aimed at decreasing methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources, requiring corporations to detect and also repair methane leaks. Farmers can now participate in a voluntary incentive scheme run by the Agriculture Department.
More than 100 countries pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30%. They swore to halt or reverse deforestation by 2030 at last year’s climate conference. According to the United Nations Food Agency, livestock accounts for 44 percent of man-made methane emissions. Thus much of this reduction would have to come from the livestock business.
Adding seaweed to cattle diets is one of several strategies under investigation to minimize livestock methane emissions.
The International Methane Emissions Observatory initiative at the United Nations received data from GHGSat.