Free methane-reducing feed pellet for farmers who share data

British-Swiss agri-tech company Mootral is offering UK dairy farmers a methane-reducing feed supplement free for six months in return for farm data to show how the product can help drive down emissions.

The garlic and citrus-based pellet is already being used by the Towers family at Brades Farm in Lancashire, who have reduced methane emissions caused by enteric fermentation by 30%.

The herd of Holstein Friesian and Jersey cows has been fed the Mootral Ruminant supplement since 2018.

The pellet reduces the ability of the cow’s stomach to produce methane by disrupting enzymes in the gut, and can be added to the total mixed ration or fed in the milking parlour.

A 12-week trial at Brades Farm, led by Scotland’s Rural College, also found a 3-5% increase in milk yield when feeding the supplement and no negative impact on animal health or quality of milk.

The farm produces specialist barista milk for some of the country’s top coffee shops.

Ed Towers – who runs the farm near Farleton, with his father, John, and brother, Joe – said the family wanted to show customers it is committed to reducing emissions, and that dairy producers have a responsible attitude when it comes to the environment.