Every year, right after Halloween, millions of pumpkins are thrown away, leading to increased methane emissions. In response to consumer demand for sustainable farming, a group of American ranchers is now taking a step to reuse these pumpkins as feed for their dairy cows.
Figures show that 40 million pounds of pumpkins are thrown away every year in the UK and more than 1 billion pounds in the United States. Although small-scale campaigns have been set up to combat waste and thus reduce methane emissions, this appears to have had little effect. A group of American dairy farmers now wants to change that by feeding those dumped pumpkins to their dairy cows.
Recycling food
Tim and Erica Leubner have a 1.000-cow dairy farm in New York state. In addition, pumpkins are grown on 65 hectares. "From the day after Halloween, we move the remaining pumpkins to our dairy farm. They are then mixed into the cows' ration," said the farmers at DairyReporter. The American Dairy Association North East also believes that cows are the ideal solution to food waste. "In addition, the nutritional value of the pumpkins helps to increase milk production," says Erica Leubner.
Other dairy farmers also work this way. The 'Rock Hill Orchard' dairy farm produces A2 milk and grows pumpkins on approximately 2 hectares annually. After Halloween, owner John Fendrick releases his cows onto this plot of land to graze on the leftovers. "It's good for the cows and the dairy. Pumpkins are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, fiber and protein."