An innovative trial of a methane reducing feed supplement for cattle could reduce Grosvenor Farms’ greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12%, the equivalent of 1.3 tonnes CO₂e per cow each year.

Grosvenor Farms, Cheshire, is a long-term supplier to Tesco and is partnering with the international grocer to trial the ingredient in the diet of 400 of its cows.

As a result of digesting their high fibre diet, cows emit methane from burps and manure that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Globally, it estimated that cows and other farm animals are responsible for about 14% of human-induced climate emissions.

The feed supplement – Bovaer^®, supplied by dsm-firmenich – works by suppressing the enzymes responsible for producing methane, leading to a reduction in the amount that is produced as the cow digests its food, with no impact on animal welfare.

Mark Roach, Managing Director, Grosvenor Farms, said: “We see commercial and environmental sustainability as mutually reinforcing, producing high-quality milk while also working to improve soil health, eliminate pollution and recycle waste. We already have one of the lowest carbon footprints for milk production in the UK and we are very pleased to be working with our partner Tesco to trial innovative technologies like Bovaer^® in order to develop a lower-carbon milk supply chain and in doing so support our ambition to be a carbon net zero milk producer by 2030.”

Grosvenor Farms was selected for the trial as it is one of Tesco’s key UK dairy farms as well as one of the original members of the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG).

Natalie Smith, Head of Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries at Tesco said: “Leading the transition to a low carbon agriculture sector is something we’re really passionate about at Tesco. We’ve been carrying out innovative trials like this for a number of years now, so I’m delighted we’re going to be partnering with Grosvenor Farms on a project that could have such a significant effect on emissions reduction in our supply chain. 

“It’s only by working alongside our suppliers and farmers that we’ll achieve our shared net zero ambitions, while continuing to provide our customers with quality British produce, including 100% British milk.”

Grosvenor Farms is one of the UK’s leading dairy and arable farms, working by the principles of regenerative agriculture and circular farming, to produce high-quality foods in a commercially and environmentally sustainable way.