# May we use the "typical cow" as a source of green energy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [July 19, 2011, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-we-use-the-typical-cow-as-a-source-of-green-energy/589555 "2011-07-19T07:08:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FlyTy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e68b1a/32.png) [@FlyTy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyTy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-we-use-the-typical-cow-as-a-source-of-green-energy/589555/1 "2011-07-19T07:08:42Z")
In the article about grain fed vs grass fed you stated, “The typical cow produces 200 to 400 quarts of methane a day.” Now, by no means am I trying to dispute said statement by the world’s smartest man; rather, can this be contained, collected, stored and/or harnessed for a positive use, with no further harm to the cows(aside from the electrical shock and spike or however it dies). 50-100gallons of methane a day X cows used for farming = a lot of methane? p.s. - if my logic will benefit the world in a great way quickly, please bump it =) Sincerely, manonthemoon from tx ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-we-use-the-typical-cow-as-a-source-of-green-energy/589555/2 "2011-07-19T17:08:34Z")
Closed as a duplicate of one posted to GQ and moved to CCC. > **[can we use cows as a source of green energy + food.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=616894)** > > In the article about grain fed vs grass fed you stated, “The typical cow produces 200 to 400 quarts of methane a day.” Now, by no means am I trying to dispute said statement by the world’s smartest man; rather, can this be contained, collected,... Colibri General Questions Moderator