Arla Foods has embarked on a significant initiative with prominent UK supermarkets, including Morrisons, Tesco, and Aldi, to trial a feed additive aimed at mitigating methane emissions from cattle.
This innovative trial focuses on a feed additive known as Bovaer, which has demonstrated the capacity to lower methane emissions produced by cows by an average of 27%. As part of the FarmAhead customer partnership initiative, Arla works closely with these retail giants to explore how such additives can be assimilated into standard feeding practices. The project involves 30 farmers from the dairy cooperative, aiming to garner insights into how these feed additives can be deployed on a more extensive scale.
Arla’s Director of Agriculture in the UK, Paul Dover, acknowledges the substantial opportunity this presents in enhancing the carbon footprint at the farm level. He emphasises the potential of feed additives like Bovaer in tackling methane emissions. “Bringing partners together from across the food and grocery industry in this kind of initiative highlights the support there is for British farmers in transitioning to more sustainable farming methods,” Dover stated.
The supermarkets involved also recognise the value of this collaboration. “Through collaboration as part of Arla’s FarmAhead Customer Partnership, we have the ability to address some of the climate challenges facing our food system,” remarked representatives from Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco. They further noted the importance of collective efforts in effecting widespread changes necessary for reducing emissions.
This trial follows a smaller initiative earlier in the year by Tesco, conducted in partnership with Grosvenor Farms, which sought to decrease each cow’s carbon footprint by approximately 1.3 tonnes of CO2e annually. Additionally, in June, Morrisons collaborated with Sea Forest to accelerate the introduction of seaweed-based livestock feed, further aiming to cut carbon emissions in beef production.
This collaborative effort between Arla Foods and leading supermarkets marks a progressive step towards sustainable farming practices. By deploying innovative feed additives like Bovaer, these organisations are setting a precedent for reducing methane emissions, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship and paving the way for widespread adoption of greener farming techniques.
