Switzerland Invented Feed, Thanks To Which Cows Do Not Heat The Planet As Much

Cows produce huge amounts of methane, which is harmful to the climate and contributes to global warming. Researchers and feed manufacturers agree that there can be a way around, thanks to a special feed additive that will reduce methane production, SRF and Head Topics inform.

British-Swiss company Mootral has developed a feed additive that helps cows digest better and therefore helps livestock produce less methane. “Cows like it. With Holsteins, methane is reduced by more than 20%, with Jersey cows we have even achieved a 38% reduction in methane," said company head Thomas Hafner.

The blocker, which makes cows produce less methane, is obtained from garlic and citrus peel. This is a natural additive that reduces the amount of microbes in the rumen of cows and has a positive effect on the fermentation of feed.

"It's about the survival of milk production," Hafner added, noting that farmers are under increasing pressure to raise cows. Governments want them to farm more climate-friendly, which could be possible with a new feed additive.

“If we don't solve the climate problem of our cows, we will soon not be able to produce more milk because consumers will leave. We have to solve this for the dairy industry to survive," says young farmer Edward Towers, who administers the natural extract to 400 dairy cows. The feed additive will thus cost his farm 22,000 francs (561,000 crowns) per year, but according to the farmer, it is an investment that pays off.

"Thanks to this, our milk has a much better climate balance," he added.