Money to be made by reducing emission on the farm.

Cows, and all ruminants, burp because their digestive system has evolved into a highly specialized biological fermentation chamber. Unlike the acidic, single-chamber stomach found in most mammals, ruminants use a four-compartment system designed to cultivate a diverse community of microorganisms. These microbes break down cellulose and other low-quality plant fibers that would otherwise be indigestible, converting them into energy-rich fatty acids that directly fuel the animal.

This fermentation process naturally generates gas, resulting in regular burping. Most microbial species contribute to the animal’s energy supply, but some do not: methane-producing archaea convert residual fermentation byproducts into methane without providing energetic value to the cow. These organisms are ancient, globally widespread, and play a key role in processing otherwise unusable biological waste while also being the primary source of methane emissions from livestock and the reason up to 10% of the potential energy is being wasted.

Trials show that, when fed at recommended levels, methane-reducing feed additives are safe for cows and do not affect the quality of their milk or meat. Regulatory approval, once granted, confirms this safety. As long as the additive only affects the methane producing bacteria, the cow doesn't even know that her burps contain less methane. The other bacteria will simply take over the space that methanogens once used to populate in the rumen.

Studies also demonstrate that these additives can improve either feed efficiency or animal productivity by helping cows run a more optimised rumen fermentation with more of the energy from their feed being used by the cow instead of losing it as methane. In practice, cows eating the additives remain just as healthy, happy and comfortable, but slightly more productive or more economic for the farmer to keep. This increased efficiency can manifest either as a total lower feed intake but same animal productivity as before or as unchanged feed intake but increased animal productivity. Unfortunately we can not yet control if the animal will eat less or produce more or a mix of both, but the potential gains are clear.

Today, additives are primarily given to barn-fed cows because they can be easily mixed into their regular feed. This does not mean cows are required to spend more time indoors. Additives formulated for grazing animals are under development, with practical use expected in the coming years.

Feed additives can have a taste but the amount they eat is so small that it’s unnoticeable for the cows. The additives have been mixed into the regular feed without changing the overall taste. It’s a bit like we use spices for our human food. Feed additives are designed to taste good and be easy for cows to consume, supporting their diet and health without altering their natural feeding habits.

Methane production uses about 10% of a cow’s feed energy, which is lost when the animal releases methane through burping. In theory, reducing this energy loss could support higher productivity. However, productivity in dairy and beef systems is complex and influenced by many factors—including diet composition, management, genetics, health, and environmental conditions.

Research trials have shown mixed results: some have found improvements in feed efficiency, while others have observed no change or even reductions in productivity under certain conditions or with certain additive formulations. Because of this variability, productivity outcomes cannot be guaranteed for every farm.

Any dietary change should be introduced gradually, including the use of feed additives. A careful evaluation on each specific farm—its animals, feed strategy, and conditions—is needed to understand the potential energy savings and their actual effect on productivity.

No. Feed additives work specifically in the rumen to prevent methane emissions from being burped out by the cow. The manure is not affected and continues to function effectively for biogas production and as a fertilizer, just as it would without the additives.

No, the taste or texture of milk or meat is not affected by the additives. Rigorous tests have confirmed that feed additives do not leave any residues in significant amounts for safety concerns or add any substances that would impact the sensory qualities of beef or dairy products.

Yes. The feed additives are the result of years of research and have been proven safe for both humans and animals. They effectively reduce emissions without compromising the health or safety of livestock or people.

Currently, feed additives are only given to cows when they are indoors in the barn, as they can easily be mixed into their regular feed. This doesn’t mean that the cows will spend more time indoors just because they receive feed additives. Additives for grazing livestock are under development and are expected to be implemented in the coming years.

Methane emissions can be measured effectively using a measurement station in the barn. We continuously track emissions from individual cows as they approach the station for supplemental feed. By collecting sufficient data, we can model the overall emissions reduction for the entire herd, with the model closely matching real measurement values. We also monitor and verify these reductions over time, ensuring the supplements’ effects are accurately tracked. Transparency is crucial, so we publish climate impact reports that are accessible to everyone at www.voltagreentech.com.

Feed additives are easy to implement and require almost no changes to daily feeding routines. The additives arrive at the farm pre-mixed into the cow’s regular mineral or concentrate feed and can be included in the total mixed ration as usual. Additives are currently fed only to stabled cows that receive daily feeding. Volta Greentech supports farmers and the whole supply chain with the Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) process on the farm, with emission reductions verified by third-party entities like RISE to ensure the credibility of the impact claimed.