Breakthrough trial by leading Canadian research Consortium and DSM already generated close to 1500 tonnes reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
A 2-year large-scale trial in beef cattle in Alberta, Canada has successfully demonstrated that a novel feed ingredient, developed by Royal DSM, can be included in commercial feedlot diets to reduce methane emissions by up to 80%, without negative effects on animal health and performance parameters and carcass characteristics. This was the largest and longest trial for methane reduction in beef to date. The trial alone already reduced Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 1473 tonnes CO2e. This is comparable to taking 500 cars off the road for a year.
The trial was conducted by a Canadian Research Consortium consisting of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Feedlot Health Management Services, Viresco Solutions, and DSM Nutritional Products, and with support from the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association. Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) committed $1.5 million to this $3 million project through its Methane Challenge. The project was recognized for having positive implications for the province due to the fact that 70 per cent of Canada’s cattle production happens in Alberta. With 15,000 cattles included in the trial, it represents the largest single trial conducted on methane reduction technologies for ruminants.
Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and sustainable living, has developed a feed ingredient to reduce enteric methane formation in ruminants by over 30% on average. The ingredient is scientifically called 3-NOP and is considered a breakthrough technology that inhibits methane formation in the rumen of cattle.
The trial demonstrated the commercial viability of feeding 3-NOP in backgrounding and finishing operations in Alberta’s beef cattle industry in a large-scale field trial.
Steve MacDonald, CEO Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), comments: “Alberta’s agricultural sector is a world leader in sustainable practices. The results of this trial highlight that further opportunities are on the horizon for beef and dairy producers to better manage methane from cattle. ERA’s investments are accelerating the solutions that will deliver the improved economic and environmental outcomes Alberta and the world need.”
As Project Leader Karen Haugen-Kozyra of Viresco Solutions states: “This trial is significant for two reasons: it demonstrates that compared to conventional feed mixes, the inclusion of 3-NOP in the diet mix for cattle has resulted in real, permanent and quantifiable reductions of methane emissions (ranging from 31-80% in finishing diets). It therefore has broad application potential across Alberta’s beef and dairy sector – and further afield. We are particularly happy also that the trial in itself generated CO2e greenhouse gas reductions (GHG) of close to 1,500 tonnes clearly showing the impact this solution by DSM can have – especially when it is on the market and scaled up”.
Mark van Nieuwland, Program Director at DSM said, “We see the demand for low carbon beef and dairy products increasing globally. We are therefore very proud that our methane reduction solution has proven to be highly effective at scale and with this level of impact. This is the largest cattle trial DSM has ever contributed to with over 15,000 cattle tested. Our solution showcases well DSM’s purpose-led, performance driven strategy. We are very grateful also to ERA and the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association for their generous financial support to make this trial a reality and to deliver true impact for the planet’s future”.
