Here's what happened when cows were allowed to choose their own food | Stuff.co.nz

Researchers at Lincoln University say they've found ways to drastically cut emissions on the farm, claiming they're on their way to reducing greenhouse gases by 40%. They say their holistic approach, which includes letting cows choose their own food, also results in more nutritious milk. The gals at Lincoln Uni's Ashley Dean dairy farm on the move. Making their way to the sheds for some milking. But the team here will tell you this ain't no normal milk. Better nutraceutical properties of milk and dairy products that will enhance human health. The extra nutrition is thanks to the edible exotics and natives planted for the cows to choose from like a buffet, providing them with different medicinal and nutritional benefits. The plants also providing additional shelter and shade for the cows as we head into the warmer months. They have access to different species of pasture and they can form their own diet. So we treat our cows as individuals, not as a whole group. We've got happy cows, relaxed, curious with what's going on. And they've got a varied diet. They've got scratch brushes so they can itch themselves if needed. Temperature sensors on each cow are also used to monitor their well-being. Professor Pablo says the way they treat the animals and land not only leads to healthy stock, but also a healthier landscape. We have reduced greenhouse gas production by around 20% in only two years. And we are measuring carbon sequestrations that are higher than the carbon that we emit from this farm. They're also using mulus, or specialised toilet areas, to capture nitrogen to further reduce the farm's environmental impact. This is a project about transforming dairy production systems not only here in New Zealand but around the world. We want to also incorporate cropping, sheep and beef farming, make this an integrated system and also encourage this breed of integral health farming across the country and across the world as well. A glimpse at how the future of farming could look. And for these cows, the grass really is greener.