AgriZeroNZ and the Ag Emissions Centre are committing $4 million and $2.5 million, respectively, to speed up research aimed at identifying a compound that reduces methane emissions from grazing livestock without negatively affecting animal health or productivity.
The research, conducted by the AgResearch Group at the Lincoln-based Bioeconomy Science Institute, builds upon years of foundational efforts jointly funded by the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium and the Ag Emissions Centre.
In 2023, AgriZeroNZ had already contributed $1 million to initiate the next phase of the programme.
Through a new agreement, the project has been restructured to emphasise commercialisation more strongly, with intellectual property now transferred to AgriZeroNZ.
The global animal health company Zoetis has also deepened its partnership with the team, preparing to bring any breakthroughs to market.
“Kiwi farmers are highly emissions-efficient producers of milk and meat, but we need to keep making progress to meet the global demand for lower-emissions products from our export customers, and it’s critical we give farmers tools to do that,” AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne McNee said.
“This type of scientific innovation has the potential to shape the future of our agricultural sector, but only if we can get something to farmers – so we’re collectively focused on driving a final push to try to get it across the line and bring it to market.”
Methane inhibitors are substances that target and block methane-producing microbes in ruminant animals like cows, sheep, deer, and goats. Recently, New Zealand researchers have discovered several promising candidates, with initial trials demonstrating promising reductions in methane emissions.
For Ag Emissions Centre’s Dr Sinead Leahy, prioritising a pasture-first approach was essential.
“A lot of overseas research on this is focused on giving the animal something in every mouthful of feed, and that’s just not practical for New Zealand farms, where our animals mainly live outdoors, grazing on pasture,” Leahy said.