Elanco and Royal DSM partner to reduce cattle methane emissions

Elanco Animal Health and Royal DSM have teamed up to develop Bovaer, a first-of-its-kind feed additive aimed to reduce the methane emissions of beef and dairy cattle, to the U.S. market. Bovaer has been demonstrated to reduce methane emissions by 22% to 35% for dairy cattle and up to 80% for beef cattle, according to 50 peer-reviewed studies and 48 on-farm trials across 14 countries.

Using ¼ teaspoon of Bovaer per head, the feed additive suppresses the enzyme in rumen that triggers methane production. The product breaks down in the digestive tract into compounds naturally found in the stomach. Once Bovaer is no longer fed, methane production returns to full levels, indicating no lasting effect.

The methane reduction from feeding 1 million cows Bovaer is equivalent to planting 45 million trees or removing 300,000 cars from the road, according to the press release. With 9 million dairy cows and 14 million beef cattle on feed in the U.S., the product would contribute a significant and immediate reduction of the environmental footprint of meat and dairy products, supporting the Global Methane Pledge to cut emissions 30% by 2030.

"We are excited to partner with DSM to start the process of bringing this game-changing innovation to U.S. livestock producers," says Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco. "It will further strengthen Elanco's efforts to create the livestock sustainability market and the next era of value for farmers by adding to our efforts to reduce, measure, and monetize emission reductions."

Elanco will be responsible for the U.S. approval process, commercialization, and product supply, supporting DSM supply in markets outside the United States. Once Bovaer is approved, the partnership will double the global availability of the product.