Key Takeaways
- Minerva Foods partnered with Australian climate technology company Rumin8 and ESALQ/USP to conduct a 120-day study on methane emissions in Nellore cattle.
- The study demonstrated a 50.4% reduction in methane emissions and 5% improvement in feed conversion efficiency using Rumin8's feed additive.
- The trial achieved an estimated reduction of 29.8 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions while delivering productivity gains.
- Independent verification of results is underway by agricultural carbon certification companies Athian and FoodChain ID.
- David Messina, CEO of Rumin8, said the collaboration represents an important step toward scaling methane-reducing technologies in Brazil's cattle market.
Minerva Foods Research Partnership Delivers Significant Results
Minerva Foods, South America's leading beef exporter, and Australian climate technology company Rumin8 announced results of a study showing significant methane emission reductions from cattle alongside improved feed efficiency. The research was conducted in partnership with the University of São Paulo through the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ/USP).
The 120-day study evaluated Rumin8's feed additive impact on enteric methane emissions and productive performance in Nellore cattle under conditions simulating commercial Brazilian feedlot operations. Animals receiving the additive in a total mixed ration showed a 50.4% reduction in methane emissions and a statistically significant 5% improvement in feed conversion efficiency.
Commercial Scale Testing Shows Promise
The experiment involved two groups of Nellore bulls. The first group included 80 animals housed in individual pens for precise measurement, divided between a control group and those receiving the supplemented diet. A second group of 200 Nellore bulls was fed the additive in collective pens to simulate commercial-scale conditions.
“We were pleased to partner with Minerva and ESALQ/USP to assess Rumin8's ability to mitigate methane and its impact on animal performance in an environment that simulates a commercial Brazilian feedlot setting,” said David Messina, CEO at Rumin8.
Environmental Impact and Future Applications
The study found methane intensity per kilogram of liveweight gain decreased from 77.2 g/kg to 39.6 g/kg when comparing cattle fed only TMR with those receiving the additive. The trial achieved an estimated reduction of 29.8 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions.
“This study highlights the potential of innovation and collaboration between industry, science and technology to address one of the most pressing challenges on the livestock sector's climate agenda,” said a Minerva Foods spokesperson.
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