Trials confirm efficacy of a methane-reducing feed supplement for ruminants in achieving reductions in methane emissions by dairy cows

Trials conducted at CERZOO, dairy farm of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza, Italy, confirm efficacy of Bovaer®, dsm-firmenich’s methane-reducing feed supplement for ruminants, achieving reductions close to 50% in methane emissions.

Two on-farm trails conducted by the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, the first of their kind in Italy, tested the efficacy of Bovaer® in ruminants consuming Italian dairy cow diets, that are rich in corn silage. At the recommended minimum dose, Bovaer® reduced enteric methane emissions* by 44 to 50 percent while maintaining milk production and composition, milk fatty acids profile, animal health and welfare, and feed efficiency. These positive results, which follow more than 60 successful trials in 17 other countries, demonstrate once again that Bovaer® is highly effective in reducing methane emissions in dairy cows.

dsm-firmenich, innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty and Parmalat, a leader in the Italian milk market and part of the Lactalis Group, are pleased to announce today that Università Cattolica has concluded two highly successful trials of Bovaer®, dsm-firmenich’s methane-reducing feed supplement for ruminants. Reducing methane emissions is crucial to keep global warming below the 1.5°C target outlined in the Paris Agreement. Over 150 countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge, committing to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30 percent by 2030. To date, Bovaer® has helped save over 50,000 tons of CO₂e by reducing methane emissions from dairy and beef cattle in its trials, pilots and implementations around the globe, making a vital and growing contribution to the realization of global climate targets.

Mark van Nieuwland, Vice President Bovaer® at dsm-firmenich, said: “There’s no time to lose when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting methane emissions is the fastest way to combat global warming and will be high on the agenda at this year’s COP 28 in Dubai. I’m proud that dsm-firmenich can offer dairy farmers a solution that will contribute to tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time. Collaboration, new ways of thinking, and pioneering innovations are all crucial to making dairy farming more sustainable.”

Erminio Trevisi, Full Professor at Università Cattolica, added: “3-NOP or Bovaer® has been extensively tested by our scientific colleagues around the world and promises to deliver a significant reduction in methane emissions from dairy cows. We are very pleased that the trial at CERZOO, Università Cattolica’s dairy farm, has achieved significant methane reductions with an Italian diet and dairy cow system, while maintaining milk quality. Our modern facilities enable us to accurately measure feed intake and, exhaled gases from the cow, as well as the more common parameters of milk production, composition, and animal health.”

Maurizio Bassani, General Manager of Parmalat Italy, commented: "Innovation has always been a hallmark of Parmalat and we are proud to be the first dairy company in Italy to experiment with what could be an important solution to make farms even more sustainable. We want to continue making the health of the planet and the quality of our products an increasingly synergistic relationship for the benefit of consumers."

Trial
During the trial at CERZOO, the dairy farm of Università Cattolica, cows were either fed an Italian, corn silage based, diet with a quarter teaspoon of Bovaer® or assigned to a control group. The GreenFeed system was used to analyze the cows’ breath for methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen emissions, enabling the methane reduction achieved with Bovaer® to be measured accurately. The trial also monitored other relevant parameters, such as milk production, milk composition, feed intake, and animal health. The trial consisted of two phases: the first started in summer and the second in winter, with cows receiving a quarter teaspoon of Bovaer® in both their summer and winter diets. UNICATT is currently preparing to publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal.

* Enteric emissions are the methane emissions that primarily arise during fermentation in the first stomach of ruminants such as cattle.