OPINION: The Hound was intrigued to read about a project that NZ scientists are working on to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) produced from sheep by encouraging the animals to empty their bladders at night!
Apparently, the GHG nitrous oxide is created when large amounts of nitrogen ener the soil and one of the biggest sources of nitrogen is animal urine.
The scientists found that 60% of the nitrogen in the animals' urine came during the 12 hours following a big meal and believe that shifting sheep to a new paddock late in the afternoon could result in more nitrogen entering the soil at night, when it is cooler.
That's because soil bugs produce 10 to 40% more nitrous oxide in hot, summery conditions, so this has the potential to reduce the amount of nitrous oxide being produced by sheep.
Perhaps farmers will soon be potty training their sheep in an effort to reduce their GHG emissions!