Cattle feed cuts down cow burps to save the planet
A NEW cattle feed developed in Wales could lower greenhouse gases by the equivalent of taking 33 million cars off the road – by making cows pass less wind.
Swiss-British agritech firm Mootral says its new natural feed supplement, Mootral Ruminant, is proven to cut the amount of methane cows release by up to 38%.
It was developed by Mootral’s laboratories in Abertillery, reports Sky News. Its use is being pioneered by Brades Farm Dairy in Farleton, Lancaster, which supplies “Original Barista Milk” to coffee lovers.
And it is based on active compounds from garlic that remove micro-organisms in a cow’s stomach that create methane. Mootral estimates that if all 1.5 billion cows in the world ate Mootral Ruminant for a year, the reduction in methane emissions would be equivalent to taking 330 million cars off the road – more than currently in use in the EU.
And it says it has now launched the world’s first carbon credits “generated from cattle burp emission reductions”.
On its website, Mootral says: “Cows are creating the world’s first cattlegenerated carbon credits thanks to Mootral’s breakthrough natural feed supplement, Mootral Ruminant.
“The cattle feed supplement is proven to cut the amount of methane they release by up to 38%, while increasing yield naturally and enabling production of climate-friendly milk and beef.
“Described by one outlet as ‘the Tesla of cows’ and featured in the New
York Times, Bloomberg and The Times of London, Mootral Ruminant is the product of years of research, started by leading research facility Neem Biotech, which led to the birth of spinout company Mootral.
“Mootral is the first company to sell carbon credits generated through reductions in cattle methane emissions, meaning businesses across the globe can purchase CowCredits to offset their emissions.”
Thomas Hafner, CEO of Mootral, said: “Cows play an important role in our ecosystem, improving soil quality and supporting carbon sequestration, as well as providing a great source of nutrition.
“It’s time for us to help them become part of the solution in the global fight against climate change.
“By bringing down methane emissions, which is 84 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide in the first 20 years, Mootral is a scalable technology that opens a window of opportunity to avert climate catastrophe while we decarbonise the economy.
”We’re very excited to launch Mootral carbon credits on the market – they offer superb value to buyers, make a real difference to emissions, and help sustain our ancient farming communities and traditions.
“I’m on a mission to make this feed supplement available at no cost to all cattle farmers eventually but I need forward-thinking investors to get on board today for that to happen and to help us scale up internationally.
“We’re seeking investors who want to tackle climate change globally but to make a difference locally.
“Ethical investors who hope to support farmers within their supply chains to cut emissions while also being able to increase yields and sell their milk at a premium.”
Mootral wants companies and individuals to offset their carbon footprint by purchasing so-called “CowCredits” for around £60.
While other carbon offsetting schemes plant trees, Mootral’s scheme involves the purchase of cattle feed to reduce methane output.