Danish Dairy Farmers Cease Use of Methane-Reducing Feed Amid Health Concerns

Dairy farmers across Denmark have stopped using the methane-reducing additive Bovaer, citing significant health problems in their cattle. Reports from approximately 1,400 farmers who began using the additive on October 1st indicate issues such as fevers, diarrhea, and fertility problems, with some cases resulting in cow deaths. The additive, produced by dsm-firmenich, is intended to reduce methane emissions by up to 30% through its active ingredient, 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP).

The Danish government's mandate requires farms with over 50 cows to use Bovaer for at least 80 days annually, imposing fines for non-compliance. However, many farmers report adverse effects, prompting a call to suspend the mandate. Anders Ring, a farmer in Southern Denmark, observed a spike in digital dermatitis and high somatic-cell counts after using the additive, leading to a halt in its use to protect his herd.

Ring noted that after discontinuing Bovaer, his herd's somatic-cell counts dropped by 20% within two days, though milk production losses were reported at up to 5 kg per cow per day. Farmers like Ring are urging the government to pause the mandate until the health issues are fully investigated.

In response, Danish Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Jacob Jensen, stated that the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration is monitoring the situation closely. Meanwhile, dsm-firmenich insists on its commitment to livestock health and emphasizes that Bovaer has not been conclusively linked to the reported health problems.