Ecological development and low-carbon breeding have emerged as the modus operandi among approximately 2,000 breeders in Huantai County of Shandong Province.

Zhao Baozhen, a cattle farmer in Chengdong Village, Huantai County, speaks proudly of the village's ecological progress through the creation of a biomass pool. Biomass uses plant material or animal waste to produce fuel.

"Since our village established a biomass pool, households use less electricity and coal," Zhao said.

In the first half of this year, Zhao set up seven 100-cubicmetre methane-generating pits, where excrement goes from being a major problem to a significant source of energy. Manure was once the bane of cattle and pig farmers, but now it's become a resource, and there's plenty of supply—one dairy cow defecates 50 kilogram per day.

Biogas can be used for cooking, lighting and heating, and the slurry and residue are used for organic plant production. Biogas utilization does not only solve the problem of pollution on the breeding farm but also saves on the costs. The methane-generating pits have become must-haves on breeding farms.

"The pig beds are made of sawdust and straw pads with biogen material that can effectively degrade pigs' manure, kill germs and realize zero emission. Also, the pigs' immune system becomes stronger," said Yi Shanbing, a pig farmer in Huantai County.

Yi's pigs grow faster and get sick less often. Even better, the pork tastes delicious and gets a higher price at the market.

In recent years, more than 60 pig farms have adopted Yi's methods, and similar pig beds totaling 51,000 square meters are being promoted throughout Huantai County.

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