Turning Calves into Methane‑Muffling Machines
Ever wondered how a bunch of baby cattle can help save the planet? In Palmerston North, New Zealand, a dreamy research farm is giving calves a lucky potion that’s as funny to pronounce as it is effective.
What’s the Magic in the Mix?
The “Kowbucha” powder gets whisked into a milky drink and fed to the calves at Massey University’s farm. It’s a probiotic that, according to studies, can cut the calves’ burps (methane emissions) by up to 20%.
Why It Matters
New Zealand is on a mission: slash biogenic methane by 10% of 2017’s levels by 2030, and aim for a grand 47% cut by 2050. Every little bit helps, and a probiotic doesn’t cost a fortune or require a PhD to implement.
Behind the Scenes
- Shalome Bassett, Fonterra’s principal scientist, said the trials kicked off in 2021 were a game‑changer. “Probiotics are a natural fix,” she exclaimed.
- She emphasized the need for a solution that’s easy for farmers, cost‑effective, and safe for cows and milk.
- Ongoing tests show promising results—just like a summer cold that never leaves you with a cold shoulder.
Potential Rollout
Fonterra plans to make Kowbucha sachets available in stores by the end of 2024. Farmers will soon be able to pay a tiny fee for those pesky animal burps, instead of dealing with them by hand.
Others in the Field
Some international additives, like royalty just‑in‑the‑house Royal DSM’s Bovaer, can slash methane by 30% or more. But Kowbucha offers a cheaper, more straightforward approach—farmers only need to feed the supplement to calves during rearing, and the benefit sticks around.
In Short
These clever calves are proving that a little science, a good laugh, and a sprinkle of probiotics can go a long way in the fight against greenhouse gases. The planet gets a win, the farmers get a win, and the calves get a win—because they’re finally being appreciated for their burps, not just for their milk.
Burp pricing
New Zealand Gets Ready to Put a Price on Cow‑Burps (and Beyond!)
Why the Big Deal? Climate + Cash
By 2025, the Kiwis will be the first nation to monetise agricultural emissions. After all, half of New Zealand’s greenhouse gases come from the farm sector. Farmers churn out more than a table‑full of goods every year, so any move to curb emissions must not dent their prosperity.
Farming with a Future‑Friendly Twist
- Kowbucha – the farm‑friendly term for low‑methane sheep – is a success story. Scientists have bred sheep that let out a fraction of the usual burp‑level.
- EcoPond – a new “magic bath” for manure that slashes methane by almost 99 % – has been available since late 2021.
- Researchers are scouting for overseas additives that could work on New Zealand’s open‑pasture lifestyle. The trick? Tweaking the feed of barn‑animals is tough when most fleece and bovine friends roam freely on grass.
Balancing the Books and the Barns
“The simplest way to cut emissions is to have fewer animals or drop production,” says Susan Kilsby, an ANZ agricultural economist. “That’s a real headache because we still need those juicy exports.”
Pricing: The Juicy Idea
While not everyone cheers, many think charging farmers for methane is the nudge they need. Mike Manning, Ravensdown’s innovation head, points out:
- Farmers are slow to adopt EcoPond unless there’s a price tag on methane.
- EcoPond can reduce dairy shed manure methane by up to 99 %.
- “People will wait for the price of methane to bite,” Manning chuckles. “Then it’s a clear financial reason to go ‘arm‑and‑leg’ for cleaner farming.”
Looking Ahead
Govt. planners are busy on the details: when, how, and at what level to price agricultural emissions. If it works, the Kiwis could set a precedent for the world – one breath (or burp) at a time.
Research
NZ’s Bold Greenhouse Game Plan
Break‑the‑Bank on Agricultural Emissions
New Zealand’s government has poured NZ$380 million (S$303.8 million) into research over the next four years to give farmers a fighting chance against greenhouse gases. The funding is meant to fast‑track innovations and put new tools straight into the hands of growers—talk about a “fast‑food” approach to sustainability.
