"Cow-toilet" is the latest instrument in reducing GHG emissions
Hanskamp, a Dutch company, that develops innovations for the livestock sector has invented the "Cow-toilet" program, in which cows are trained to use urinals in order to reduce emissions of ammonia and hence greenhouse gas emissions.
Ammonia is a chemical compound that is released into the atmosphere at the time when the urine of cattle comes into contact with their manure. To limit the impact of the livestock sector on the environment, the Dutch government, which is fighting against climate warming, imposed strict measures for farmers such as restrictions on the size of herds, limitation of periods of manure spraying and sanitary regulations in the stalls. "A cow will never be totally clean, but we can teach it to go to the bathroom,", explained Hanskamp in a video presentation.
The operation of the so-called "Cow-toilet" is to place the urinal disposal behind the cows while they are eating and then a robot stimulates a nerve under the udder that makes the animals want to urinate.
In one of the farms where the potty is being tested, 7 of the 58 cows now spontaneously use the potty, without stimulation. "The cows have already gotten used to it", mentions Hanskamp team of inventors.
The company expects this invention, after it would be refined, to reduce at least half of the ammonia emissions in a farm.
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