A new feed additive developed by DSM inhibits the emission of the greenhouse gas methane by cows, like adding nitrate to the feed does. Animal feed researcher Jan Dijkstra outlines the effect and possibilities.
‘The effectiveness of Bovaer – DSM’s product that inhibits methane synthesis – will soon be tested at the Dairy Campus, the research and innovation centre for the dairy farming at Wageningen Livestock Research’, Dijkstra says.
‘This testing is necessary to include the product in the Kringloopwijzer (“Circularity Guide”), the tool dairy farmers use for mineral management. The guide estimates the volume of greenhouse gases the cows produce based on the amount of feed concentrates, grass and silage maize content used in their rations. WUR researchers are currently testing how much methane emissions drop for various feed rations. Farmers can then use those figures when using the Kringloopwijzer.’