Bovaer is here for Bovine Burps

Science has solved methane emiissions from cattle, but maybe it shouldn't have

Climate science is particularly contentious, with some people believing that greenhouse gases are destroying the earth and others insisting that they have absolutely no impact on terrestrial climate, which is more likely linked to entirely unrelated solar and/or core-mantle heating cycles (see Ethical Skeptics fascinating articles on this and related topics). 

This is so far outside my area of expertise that I can be alternately convinced by reading either side's scientific arguments for a sufficient length of time. What I do know is that there are plenty of lies and half-truths out there on both sides, and if physics Nobel Laureates can argue against the greenhouse effect, it may not be all it's cracked up to be. In fact a recent scientific paper well worth reading explains that the greenhouse effect itself has been completely falsified, there is no greenhouse effect in the earth atmosphere and there cannot be one, because not even actual greenhouses work the way the greenhouse effect is said to work, and scientists have known that for 200 years (seriously go read at least the first few pages where it’s explained that greenhouses work by convection not radiation, so the “greenhouse effect” doesn’t apply to the planet at all). 

The other thing I know is that hacking natural systems usually, if not always leads to predictably and unpredictably disastrous results.

So I’m not a big fan of the latest in a long line of climate inspired disaster capitalism investments that is coming soon to a milk and meat aisle near you.

BOVAER

Bovaer, scientifically known as 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), is a feed additive developed to reduce methane emissions from ruminant animals such as dairy cows and beef cattle. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, which again, according to this paper is a meaningless statement. Anyway, bowel fermentation in ruminants is a significant source of agricultural methane emissions. By inhibiting the enzyme methyl coenzyme M reductase (MCR) in the rumen, Bovaer effectively decreases methane production during digestion.

Development and Approval:

• Research and Development: The development of Bovaer began around 2008 under DSM's Clean Cow project, aiming to mitigate methane emissions from livestock. Extensive research, including over 50 peer-reviewed studies and numerous on-farm trials across various countries, demonstrated its efficacy and supposed safety. However genotoxicity testing has not been done and inexplicably a feed additive that disrupts the functioning of a constituent of the microbiome that makes methane was somehow shown not to affect the microbiome, which seems impossible unless changes weren’t tracked long enough, or deep and total sequencing wasn’t performed.

• Regulatory Approvals: Bovaer has received approvals in multiple regions:

  • Brazil and Chile (2021): Approved as a feed additive for reducing methane emissions.

  • European Union (2022): Authorized for use in dairy cows.

  • Canada (2024): Approved as a cattle nutrition feed additive.

  • United States (2024): The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed its review in May 2024, determining that Bovaer meets safety and efficacy requirements for use in lactating dairy cows. 

Mechanism of Action:

Bovaer functions by inhibiting the enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase MCR used by microbes called archaea in the cow's rumen, which is essential for methane synthesis. Administering a small amount—approximately a quarter teaspoon per cow per day—can lead to significant reductions in methane emissions:

• Dairy Cows: Average reduction of about 30%, equating to approximately 1.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions per cow annually. 

• Beef Cattle: Average reduction of about 45%. 

Environmental Impact:

The adoption of Bovaer is thought to present a substantial opportunity for mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock sector. For instance, feeding Bovaer to one million cows could reduce emissions equivalent to removing more than 285,000 cars from the road for a year. However this doesn’t take into account the knock on effects to the cows, the soil and who knows what else, which we’ll get into shortly. 

Economic Considerations:

Implementing Bovaer involves costs related to the additive itself and its integration into feeding practices. However, it also opens avenues for dairy farmers to participate in carbon credit markets, potentially generating additional income by reducing their operations' carbon footprint. Estimates suggest that farmers could earn around $20 per cow annually through such initiatives. Every little bit counts, especially for large corporations with herds of 5000 or more, but the real incentive is likely access to corporate debt markets via positive ESG scores, or some such hidden economic carrot or stick.

Downstream Effects

Disrupting the gut microbiome of cattle using products like Bovaer (3-NOP), which targets methanogenic archaea, will undoubtedly have medium- to long-term side effects that go beyond the direct reduction of methane emissions. The following effects are speculative but rooted in the interconnectedness of microbial ecosystems and their impact on overall health, productivity, and environmental systems. 

1. Changes in Nutrient Absorption

• Methanogens play a role in digestion: Methanogens are part of a delicate microbial network that helps break down fibrous plant material into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are critical energy sources for ruminants.

• Potential Effect: Inhibiting methanogens may disrupt this balance, leading to less efficient fermentation and reduced nutrient absorption over time, creating a negative impact on the nutritional profiles of meat and milk products, limited by what we know to test for, or choose to test for.

2. Shifts in Microbial Populations

• Microbial Imbalances (Dysbiosis):

• Removing or suppressing methanogens could allow other microbes to dominate, such as sulfate-reducing bacteria or lactate-producing bacteria.

• These shifts might lead to:

• Increased production of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a toxic gas, which can damage the epithelial lining of the gut, disrupt mucosal barrier integrity, and promote inflammation. High H₂S levels are implicated in diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer, and ulcerative colitis, all of which may start affecting cattle at higher rates.

• Overproduction of lactate, contributing to rumen acidosis.

• Potential Effect: Dysbiosis could impair gut health, increase the risk of digestive disorders, and reduce feed efficiency.

3. Impact on Cattle Health

• Immune System Changes:

• The gut microbiome influences immune system regulation. Disruptions could weaken immune defenses, increasing susceptibility to infections, and increasing the use of antibiotics.

• Energy Imbalance:

• Reduced methane production may leave excess hydrogen in the rumen. This could:

• Inhibit the growth of other beneficial microbes.

• Cause inefficient energy use, potentially lowering cattle productivity.

• Chronic Conditions:

• Long-term changes in microbiota might predispose cattle to metabolic disorders, reduced fertility, or lower weight gain.

4. Effects on Methane-Dependent Ecosystems

• Environmental Feedback Loops:

• Methane production in cattle is a natural byproduct of the rumen ecosystem. By disrupting methanogenesis:

• Hydrogen buildup in the rumen could alter downstream soil microbiomes through altered cattle manure.

• This might impact microbial communities in pastureland, with unknown effects on soil health and nutrient cycling.

• Potential Effect: Over time, ecosystem services reliant on microbial balance could degrade, affecting forage growth and overall agricultural sustainability.

5. Evolution of Methanogens and Other Microbes

• Selective Pressure on Microbial Populations:

• Constant use of 3-NOP might exert evolutionary pressure, leading to:

• Resistant methanogens that can bypass inhibition.

• Emergence of new microbial strains with unknown metabolic byproducts.

• Potential Effect: Long-term microbial shifts might necessitate new interventions, creating a cycle of dependency on feed additives.

6. Reduced Biodiversity in the Microbiome

• Loss of Functional Redundancy:

• Methanogens interact with other microbes to maintain microbial diversity in the rumen.

• Inhibiting methanogens could reduce microbial biodiversity, making the rumen less adaptable to dietary changes or environmental stressors (e.g., drought, heat).

• Potential Effect: A less resilient microbiome may lead to increased reliance on carefully managed diets and supplements.

7. Unknown Impacts on Meat and Milk Quality

• Changes in Fatty Acid Profiles:

• The microbiome influences the production of certain fatty acids (e.g., conjugated linoleic acid or CLA) in the rumen, which affect meat and milk quality.

• Disruptions might alter the nutritional profile or flavor of animal products.

• Potential Effect: Over time, consumer-perceived quality or nutritional benefits of grass-fed beef and dairy could be affected.

8. Ethical and Welfare Concerns

• Stress on Animals:

• Chronic disruptions to the gut microbiome may cause low-level stress, potentially affecting animal behavior or welfare.

• Dependency on Additives:

• Farmers may become reliant on continuous supplementation, raising ethical and economic questions about the naturalness of production systems.

Final Thoughts

While Bovaer offers theoretical short-term environmental benefits by reducing methane emissions, its long-term impact on cattle gut health and ecosystems requires careful consideration, which regulators have proven themselves entirely incapable of. 

Consumers need to stand up and insist on milk and meat that doesn’t come from cattle that use this likely useless and almost certainly harmful feed additive. The feed additive has already been approved in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the EU, meaning much of our imported beef is probably already affected. There is a website in the UK that lists Bovaer free farms, but we really need a worldwide site, along with insisting that grocers mark their meat Bovaer fed or not. For now it seems that organic restrictions do not allow Bovaer in animal feed.

The company rolling it out in the US had plans to do so in the 3rd quarter of 2024, which has already passed, so it’s possible our non-organic cows have already started consuming the feed additive. The sooner they stop the better it will be for them, the environment and us.