AI and the IoT aren’t the only advances helping to improve the livestock industry, however. Many companies are hard at work developing new types of animal feed and additives to reduce methane emissions in cows. With livestock being responsible for such a high percentage of global emissions, reducing methane production is an important strategy when the alternative is to dramatically reduce or eliminate cattle farming.
Netherlands-based DSM, a health, nutrition, and bioscience company, has developed a feed additive called Bovaer that can reduce methane emissions by 30% in dairy cows and up to 90% in beef cows. A quarter teaspoon in a cow’s daily feed is enough to suppress methane production. Bovaer has been in development for the past 10 years and is currently approved for sale in Brazil and Chile, and is in the process of gaining authorization in Europe.
AgriTech company Mootral is also developing a feed supplement that can reduce methane emissions in cows by up to 38%. The company’s product is made from garlic and citrus extract and comes in pellet form, promising to also help increase yields and animal health. Mootral also generate carbon credits from enteric methane reduction.
Genesis Algae Innovation in Australia has launched its own feed supplement, AlgaeFeed, which became commercially available in late 2021. The supplement is, unsurprisingly, made from algae, which is rich in omega oils and can therefore help improve meat quality and overall animal health. AlgaeFeed has been found to reduce cow methane emissions by 20%.