Earlier this year, the FDA approved a supplement for dairy cattle designed to reduce their methane emissions by 30%. The supplement, called Bovaer, was considered a “first-in-class methane-reducing feed ingredient,” a press release says.
“This monumental announcement has the ability to accelerate the opportunity for climate-neutral dairy farming while creating a new revenue stream for dairy farmers across the country,” Jeff Simmons, President and CEO of Elanco Animal Health said in a statement. “We appreciate FDA’s commitment to maintaining high standards for science-based review, while balancing the need to quickly bring solutions to the market. Bovaer represents another example of Elanco being a partner of choice in animal health, where the capabilities of our talented R&D, regulatory and commercial teams are delivering significant value.
Simmons suggested that Bovaer will aid in addressing “global temperatures,” claiming that “consumers demand more sustainable products.”
“Bovaer will create value for farmers, while helping food companies meet consumer demands and deliver on their sustainability commitments,” he said. “As animal, human and now environmental health continue to converge, Bovaer is one of the most significant innovations that considers this intersection and provides consumers, farmers and society what they want for our future.”
The supplement suppresses the enzyme in the cow’s rumen that creates methane, the news release explained. By feeding one tablespoon of Bovaer to a lactating cow daily, methane emissions may be reduced by about 30% annually.
“Feeding one million cows Bovaer would reduce emissions equivalent to removing more than 285,000 cars from the road for a year,” the release asserts.
Dr. Frank Mitloehner, CLEAR Center Director and University California Davis Professor and Cooperative Extension Air Quality Specialist, confirmed that the supplement is intended to bolster the climate agenda.
“Reducing enteric methane is critical if we are to reach our climate goals,” he said. “It’s exciting our farmers will have an important tool to do that, in Bovaer.”
American Faith reported that Jeff Bezos is putting forward $9.4 million to develop a vaccine meant to reduce methane emissions from cows. An investment fund founded by Bill Gates has also contributed millions of dollars to a vaccine developer looking to create a livestock vaccine. ArkeaBio, a Boston-based vaccine developer, received $12 million from Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV).
