Updated: 1/8/2009 4:25:43 PM Posted: 1/7/2009 5:49:53 PM
GEAUGA COUNTY -- It's long been known that all living creatures have the potential to emit methane gas and other noxious gasses that may contribute to global warming.
Scientists say an average dairy cow can pass 50 to 100 gallons of gasses into the air daily.
The federal EPA is considering a gas tax on dairy cattle and other farm animals. For dairy cows, the tax could be $175 for each animal per year.
The American Farm Bureau Federation says that could cost a medium sized dairy farm $40,000 a year.
"We won't even make that in profit this year," said Brenda Hastings of Hastings Dairy in Burton. Brenda and her husband Lad have 680 Holstein cattle.
"That's a lot of money for a dairy our size," Lad said.
Brenda Hastings pointed out that Farm Bureau research shows dairy cattle emissions account for only 0.66 percent of greenhouse gasses.
"More than two thirds of greenhouse gasses come from water vapor. Maybe they should tax Lake Erie instead," she said.
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