In response to global warming concerns across the planet, the world's largest beef exporter has approved the sale of a feed additive that cuts methane emissions from beef and dairy cattle.

Regulators in Brazil and Chile have granted full market authorization for Royal DSM's Bovaer to be given to cows as well as sheep and goats, the company said recently in a statement.

The methane-reducing additive obtained this first approval after a 10-year collaboration called Project Clean Cow, and its success in 48 scientific trials on farms in 13 countries across 4 continents—peer-reviewed studies (such as this one in 2020 at UC Davis) that were published in scientific journals

"A beef trial with Bovaer at Sao Paolo State University (UNESP) in Brazil conducted in 2016-2017, showed enteric methane emission reductions up to 55%, which highlights the potential for radically more sustainable cattle farming in Latin America to further lower their carbon footprint," said Mauricio Adade, president DSM Latin America.

And the additive comes "without adverse effects on performance", says São Paulo State University Professor Ricardo Reis.

"The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) stated that a rapid reduction of methane emissions could reduce the spread of global warming in the near term and have a positive effect on air quality," said DSM's Mark van Nieuwland. "We know the agricultural and livestock sectors recognize this opportunity for change and are eager to act."

Just a quarter teaspoon of Bovaer per cow per day consistently reduces burped methane emission by approximately 30% for dairy cows and even higher percentages (up till 90%) for beef cows. After suppressing methane production in the stomach, it is broken down into compounds already naturally present in the cow's stomach.

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