April 12, 2023
FrieslandCampina: Pilot programme proves methane-reducing feed additive ready for launch in Netherlands
Royal FrieslandCampina, DSM and feed supplier Agrifirm have successfully incorporated DSM's Bovaer® feed additive into the regular farming activities of 158 dairy farms in the Netherlands.
The development is described by FrieslandCampina as the world's first large-scale on-farm use of the methane-reducing feed additive for cattle.
A six-month programme, which started in 2022, confirmed that Bovaer® can easily be introduced at scale without affecting animal health, milk production or milk composition. This work supports the quicker adoption of Bovaer® by the dairy sector, thus leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and helping the Netherlands to reach its climate targets.
In 2022, history was made by launching an extensive project to gain practical experience with Bovaer®, involving more than 20,000 cows and 158 farms. The successful collaboration between the member dairy farmers of FrieslandCampina, DSM and Agrifirm led to a decrease of 10,000 tons of CO2e in methane emissions (an average of 28% less enteric methane emissions).
The project's success also opens the door for Bovaer® to be more easily implemented across the entire Dutch dairy herd. This move towards sustainability in the Dutch dairy industry stands to benefit consumers and farmers alike. Starting this year, farmers that are using Bovaer® in feed can be recognised for its use through the KringloopWijzer (Annual Nutrient Cycling Assessment), the carbon footprint tool of the Dutch Dairy Sector (ZuivelNL).
Together with its member dairy farmers, FrieslandCampina aims to achieve a 33% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on its member dairy farms by 2030. It is therefore working on various solutions to achieve this, such as using guaranteed deforestation-free soy in cattle feed, digestion of manure, generating sustainable energy on farms and reducing cow methane emissions using Bovaer®.
Sanne Griffioen, director of farm sustainability at FrieslandCampina, said: "Together with our member dairy farmers, we are working towards producing net climate-neutral dairy by 2050 at the latest. It requires continuous improvement and innovation to reach our targets. We are proud to be the first dairy company in Europe to gain valuable practical experience with Bovaer® on a large scale. I am very happy with the results of the pilot and the feedback from our member dairy farmers. We are looking forward to continue our journey with our partners, clients and members."
Mark van Nieuwland, vice president (Bovaer®) at DSM, said: "We are delighted with the positive feedback from the dairy farmers involved in this large-scale pilot project in the Netherlands, which has confirmed the potential of our innovative Bovaer® feed additive. We look forward to continuing our partnership with FrieslandCampina and Agrifirm to ensure Bovaer® reaches more cows and makes an even greater contribution to tackling agricultural methane emissions. With these developments, we also play a key role in supporting the near-term climate goals of the Global Methane Pledge, signed by more than 150 countries including the Netherlands."
Matthijs Spithoven, product manager (Rundvee) at Agrifirm, said: "Agrifirm stands for integrated business advice. We support the farmer with advice on management, feed applications and mineral cycles, on everything from feed materials to the mouth of the cow. Bovaer® is an additive that fits well within Agrifirm's approach. Irrespective of the type of livestock farmer, major steps can be taken in a simple way to reduce methane emissions."
- FrieslandCampina
