Notice board

It is the first UK authorisation of methane-reducing feed additives for cattle, which claims to reduce methane emissions from dairy cows by 30%.  

 Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs made specific reference to methane supressing feed products (MSFP) at Agriscot and asked for sector views on how the use of these products can be supported.  MSFP are noted in the draft Tier 2 measures under beef, sheep and dairy packages under a measure which “supports appropriate uptake of feed products which reduce enteric methane emissions in cattle/sheep. 

NFU Scotland are keen to proactively engage with Scottish Government on MSFP to ensure they can be used effectively and contribute to the ambitious emissions targets, but we would urge dairy farmers to adopt a cautious approach before making any decisions to use the product.  We realise that methane reducing products are just one piece of the puzzle and need to work alongside a range of other methane reducing techniques.

Commenting on the news, Dave Roberts, member of the Scottish Dairy Growth Board highlighted, 

• Individual farmers need to consider if there is a financial advantage in using the product, this will depend on exact details in their milk contract and also how their milk buyer calculates their carbon footprint.
• Assuming that there is a financial advantage , then the farmer needs to discuss this with his/her nutrition consultant / feed supplier. The efficacy of  Bovaer is dependent on correct levels within rations.
• Some farmers may wish to use the product to reduce methane emissions irrespective of their milk contract again the correct levels need to be included in rations to have desired effects.