Kangaroo Farts are Best for the Planet

The subject of animal farting as a factor in global warming is not usually for polite conversation. Who would have thought such a topic would actually be of scientific interest? What next? A new movie called "An Inconvenient Fart?"

But, to be serious, here's another win for those advocates of a kangaroo meat diet.

Australian scientists are trying to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep in a bid to cut the emission of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, researchers say.

Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroo flatulence contains no methane and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who emit large quantities of the harmful gas.

Researchers say the bacteria also makes the digestive process much more efficient and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.

"Not only would they not produce the methane, they would actually get something like 10 to 15 percent more energy out of the feed they are eating," said Klieve.

Even farmers who laugh at the idea of environmentally friendly kangaroo farts say that's nothing to joke about, particularly given the devastating drought Australia is suffering.

"In a tight year like a drought situation, 15 percent would be a considerable sum," said farmer Michael Mitton.

But it will take researchers at least three years to isolate the bacteria, before they can even start to develop a way of transferring it to cattle and sheep.

I don't know. I'd like to see where the research money for this work is coming from.

The kangaroo meat industry?

Photo by aaardvaark.