Tim presented an international perspective on the methane research being conducted globally.


There is research being conducted to investigate both:


(i) technologies to reduce emissions and
ii) ways to increase efficiency across the globe. 


It appears that New Zealand has one of the most focused and coordinated programmes.


Tim then focused on a couple of the more promising strategies including the methane inhibitor, 3-NOP, being developed by DSM Nutritional Products in Switzerland. This feed additive has shown a 60% reduction in methane when mixed with feed, but has to be fed continuously to achieve this reduction. The company are currently looking for any associated productivity changes that may be attractive to farmers. 


Nitrate is also being investigated as a feed additive. This has the potential to be toxic if fed in high quantities, therefore scientists are looking into possible encapsulated formulations to ensure slow release of the product. 


Probiotics are also an interesting area of research, with more studies required. 


Tim concluded his talk by indicating that there is still a lot to learn about the microbes in the rumen and what they are actually doing. Maybe we need to rewrite some of the textbooks based on new data that is emerging? 


He also proposed a suitable definition for sustainability: 


Sustainability: when everyone is happy.


Greenhouse gas emissions are just one part of the whole picture of environmental, social and economic factors when it comes to “sustainable” future agriculture.


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