New Zealand scientists ‘potty train’ cows for climate benefits

Name: Scientists ‘potty train’ cows to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Uploaded: 2021-09-13T20:00:23.000Z
Duration: 1 min 21 s
Description: Scientists ‘potty train’ cows to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The idea began as a joke, the team of researchers said, but dealing with cows’ nitrogen-rich liquid waste could have genuine long-term climate benefits

Nitrous oxide accounts for just under 10 per cent of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions – more than half linked to livestock

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Working with colleagues in Germany, the scientists used food rewards to ‘potty train’ 16 young cows. Photo: AP

Agence France-Pressein Wellington, New Zealand

Published: 4:00am, 14 Sep 2021Updated: 8:52am, 15 Sep 2021

Scientists say they have successfully “potty trained” cows to urinate in a designated toilet area as part of a programme aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions.

The team of New Zealand and German researchers admitted the idea began as a joke but said dealing with cows’ nitrogen-rich liquid waste could have genuine long-term climate benefits.

“If we could collect 10 or 20 per cent of urinations, it would be sufficient to reduce greenhouse gas emission and nitrate leaching significantly,” Auckland University’s Douglas Elliffe said.

Researcher Lindsay Matthews said the idea of toilet training cows was initially a throwaway joke. Photo: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology via AFP

Elliffe said the nitrogen in cow pee broke down into two problem substances over time – nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, and nitrate, which collects in soil then leaches into rivers and streams.

Nitrous oxide accounts for about 5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and just under 10 per cent of New Zealand’s total, according to official data, with more than half linked to livestock.

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Scientists ‘potty train’ cows to reduce greenhouse gas emissions