UK Dairy Farms Trial Methane-Suppressing Drug Bovaer in Cattle
Key Insights
Arla, the UK's largest dairy cooperative, is trialing the methane-suppressing drug Bovaer (search) on 30 dairy farms to reduce methane emissions from cattle.
Bovaer (search), developed by DSM-Firmenich (search) with support from Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures, can reportedly cut methane belches in cattle by up to 30%.
Supermarket chains like Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco are partnering in the initiative, reflecting a growing interest in reducing the environmental impact of food production.
Thirty dairy farms in the Arla cooperative in the UK are participating in trials of Bovaer (search), a methane-suppressing drug, to reduce methane emissions from their cattle. This initiative has garnered support from major supermarket chains, reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainable food production practices.
Bovaer Trial Details
The trial involves feeding Bovaer (search) to cattle as a supplement, which is expected to reduce methane emissions by up to 30%. Grocery chains such as Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco are collaborating in this effort, signaling a commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of dairy farming. According to a joint statement from the companies, "Being involved in using a feed additive is a great way of testing out where we can drive change at scale to bring down emissions."
Development and Approval
Bovaer (search) was developed by the European bioscience company DSM-Firmenich (search), with financial backing from Bill Gates's Breakthrough Energy Ventures fund. The drug was also approved for use in Canada earlier this year. The active ingredient in Bovaer is 3-nitrooxypropanol (search) (3-NOP). Studies indicate that the digestion of 3-NOP does not result in the presence of drug metabolites in milk or meat.
Broader Context of Methane Reduction Efforts
The trial is part of a broader effort to reduce methane emissions from agriculture, which has included research into vaccines and breeding programs. Methane is considered a potent greenhouse gas, and cattle are a significant source of methane emissions, primarily through belching. While methane is a greenhouse gas, it is also part of the current carbon cycle and breaks down into water vapour and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere within 9 to 12 years, according to NASA.