Kangaroo Farts Could Save The Planet

[Harry]

Way to go, Skippy!

LINK (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/06/2111509.htm)

Kangaroo farts could fight global warming

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.

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

While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack pushing out carbon dioxide, livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions in some countries.

Queensland Government senior research scientist Athol Klieve says 14 per cent of emissions from all sources in Australia are from enteric methane from cattle and sheep.

"If you look at another country such as New Zealand, which has got a much higher agricultural base, they're actually up around 50 per cent," he said.

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 per cent more energy out of the feed they are eating," Dr Klieve said.

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

"In a tight year like a drought situation, 15 per cent [more energy] 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.

Another group of scientists has suggested Australians farm fewer cattle and sheep and just eat more kangaroos.

The idea is controversial but about 20 per cent of health-conscious Australians are believed to eat the national symbol already.

Peter Ampt, from the University of New South Wales's Institute of Environmental Studies, says the meat has health benefits.

"It's low in fat. It's got high protein levels. It's very clean," he said.

"It doesn't get drenched. It doesn't get vaccinated. It utilises food right across the landscape. It moves around to where the food is good. It's a good food."

[Pigs in Space]

20 percent??

I don't know anyone who hasn't eaten kangaroo.

I think what they mean is they need to get people eating it more regularly, cos beef is really what people get into the most.

Kangaroo is a bit tougher (no fat) and more gamey in flavour than beef.

[Xavier Lang]

Too bad we couldn't put the bacteria in humans. Lots of lives could be saved due to malnutrition and starvation if we needed 15-20% less food. Don't give any to me though, I'm fat enough.

[Pigs in Space]

Maybe... we can!

That would be a pretty good idea. It would change the economy of the planet though. Interesting.

[Xavier Lang]

People would freak at that level of human engineering

[Pigs in Space]

It's just a different bacteria in your gut.

But yeah, I'd be against it if we required genetic re-engineering for it to work.

[Varaj]

Half man, half kangaroo! Mangaroo!

[Janos]

20 percent??

I don't know anyone who hasn't eaten kangaroo.


I'd bet the US average is around 20% have tried it. I would have put the Australian average much higher.

[Hatter]

I'd bet the US average is around 20% have tried it. I would have put the Australian average much higher.

I'd put the US figures at ~2% have tried it, I think it's pretty much unavailable outside of major metropolitan centers.

[Harry]

I'd bet the US average is around 20% have tried it. I would have put the Australian average much higher.

You can honestly say that you can walk down the street, and ask 100 random people if they've eaten kangaroo, and twenty will say yes?

:what:

I'd put the US figures at ~2% have tried it, I think it's pretty much unavailable outside of major metropolitan centers.

You can honestly say that you can walk down the street, and ask 100 random people if they've eaten kangaroo, and two will say yes?

:what:


Man, and people think we here in Memphis are weird because we put cole slaw on our barbeque sammiches.

[Janos]

I'd put the US figures at ~2% have tried it, I think it's pretty much unavailable outside of major metropolitan centers.

Granted I'm over estimating a bit, but it's pretty common as far as I've seen. Trader Joes and Fuddruckers/Koo Ka Roo carry it on a regular basis and do good business selling it. It's also offered at a lot of major grocery stores and occasionally at odd places like TGI Fridays and Red Robin who had it on the menu for awhile. I may be estimating high, but it's not too hard to find in places like El Paso or Sacramento. If you can find it in a shithole like El Paso, I pretty much assume it's anywhere with a decent population.

You can honestly say that you can walk down the street, and ask 100 random people if they've eaten kangaroo, and twenty will say yes?

Easily in Southern California.

[Ancalagon]

Ottawa is known for having a wide variety of cuisines available, and I like trying different stuff, and I've never had it.

It must be a regional thing.

[Hatter]

Now I have to see if I can find it in Colorado.

[Xavier Lang]

I have never encountered it here in Kansas. I don't exactly shop around for exotic meats so it would have to be marketed as something new or the like.

[Varaj]

I always get mad that Outback doesn't serve skippy!

[Janos]

I don't exactly shop around for exotic meats so it would have to be marketed as something new or the like.

My doctor turned me onto it as an alternative for burgers because it's really healthy. It's a pretty good substitute and damn tasty.

Now I have to see if I can find it in Colorado.

I'd try Trader Joes, that's the place that carries it most consistently.

[Hatter]

I'd try Trader Joes, that's the place that carries it most consistently.

There are no Trader Joe's in Colorado.

[Atticus_of_Amber]

Coop, I think 20% is only a little bit low. I'm always surprised at the number of my friends who haven't eaten roo.

I really like it, but I find it very hard to cook well. I much prefer to eat it in a restaurant, where the chef knows what he's doing.

[Janos]

There are no Trader Joe's in Colorado.

Really? I thought they were pretty much everywhere these days.

[Pigs in Space]

Coop, I think 20% is only a little bit low. I'm always surprised at the number of my friends who haven't eaten roo.

I really like it, but I find it very hard to cook well. I much prefer to eat it in a restaurant, where the chef knows what he's doing.

You crazy east coasters.

I'm really surprised by that.

I wonder if it would sell better if you could get it as mince? I don't really see that around much.

[Martin]

I'd say that there are a large number of people here in Melbourne who haven't eaten roo either. I've eaten it, but it's not my first choice for meat. I have seen it on the shelves at Coles, though.

[Hatter]

Really? I thought they were pretty much everywhere these days.

Not yet, though it appears as though they're expanding. Nothing in Texas either, which reduces my odds of trying it soon. :(

[Schizm]

Not yet, though it appears as though they're expanding. Nothing in Texas either, which reduces my odds of trying it soon. :(


Meh. We've got em five hours south of you. dunno if they have roo meat though.

[Atticus_of_Amber]

I'd say that there are a large number of people here in Melbourne who haven't eaten roo either. I've eaten it, but it's not my first choice for meat. I have seen it on the shelves at Coles, though.

If I see 'roo on the menu of a good restaurant, I'll usually order it.

Morbs and I have bought it and cooked it at home, but I always end up overcooking it. Morbs' is better at it though.

[Limper]

I'd put the US figures at ~2% have tried it, I think it's pretty much unavailable outside of major metropolitan centers.

If you ate Jack in the Box during the 80's and early 90's you tried it.

[Hatter]

If you ate Jack in the Box during the 80's and early 90's you tried it.

I don't think I've ever eaten at Jack in the Box.

[doc]

Half man, half kangaroo! Mangaroo! Isn't that Atticus ?

Never ate it but it sounds like it's comparable to venison

[Atticus_of_Amber]

Isn't that Atticus ?

Never ate it but it sounds like it's comparable to venison

Rather different taste from venison. That's 'roo I'm talking about, not Atticus man-meat.

[Morbidity]

20 percent??

I don't know anyone who hasn't eaten kangaroo.

I think what they mean is they need to get people eating it more regularly, cos beef is really what people get into the most.

Kangaroo is a bit tougher (no fat) and more gamey in flavour than beef.
Only if you overcook it. Kangaroo is meant to be eaten rare, which is why it's never going to catch on to a lot of people, because they don't like rare meat.

But rare kangaroo with plum sauce ... Mmmmmmm!

I find cooking meat rare at home is difficult though, which is why we usually eat it out. It's about time we gave it another go though.

20% surprises me as most of my friends will have eaten it. But maybe the figure refers to eating it regularly which would make more sense.

[Morbidity]

Never ate it but it sounds like it's comparable to venison

Nothing at all like venison, other than that they both have strong flavours.

[Hatter]

How does it compare to buffalo?