Coles is expanding the use of the “methane reducing” feed supplement Bovaer.
This follows two successful trials which found the product reduced cattle methane emissions by at least 50%.
Approved for use by European Food Safety Authority and available in more than 50 countries, Bovaer will now play a role in Coles’ strategy to reduce emissions throughout its supply chain, with three Coles Finest Carbon Neutral Beef suppliers using the supplement.
Coles commenced the use of Bovaer in 2022 when it participated in trials with one of the country’s “leading” feedlots Mort & Co, University of New England and the manufacturer of Bovaer, dsm-firmenich.
Results from the “Australian-first” trials into Bovaer, which works by suppressing the enzyme that triggers methane production in a cow and is broken down as part of the natural digestive process of the animal, found the supplement to be successful in reducing methane emissions, with no effect on average exit weight, total weight gain, average daily gain, or feed to gain ratio.
The study also measured Meat Standards Australia parameters which capture the quality, tenderness, flavour and juiciness of beef. It found the meat from cattle fed Bovaer has the same “great taste and eating experience expected of Australian beef”.
Coles Livestock Sustainability & Innovation Manager Maria Crawford says the trial results give the retailer the knowledge and confidence to expand the use of Bovaer as an emissions reduction initiative.
“We were very encouraged by the results of our Bovaer trials and have used the findings to introduce the supplement to some of our beef suppliers to help them lower emissions on farm and help to reduce our Scope 3 emissions,” she says.
“We’re looking forward to expanding the use of this innovative supplement to more of our Coles Finest certified carbon neutral beef suppliers and continuing the important research to help support the beef industry’s aspiration of carbon neutrality by 2030 as well as Coles’ sustainability ambitions.”
The use of Bovaer builds on the “industry-leading” Coles Finest Carbon Neutral Beef range which launched in April 2022 and is now available in all stores nationally.
More recently, the range expanded with the release of Coles Finest Carbon Neutral Pork.
These beef and pork products are certified carbon neutral from farm to shelf in accordance with the Australian Government’s Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard.
