Bovaer

[Earthmaiden]

I have noticed growing conversation on social media about Bovaer in the past few days. It is being trialled on a number of farms and a growing number of people seem to be checking which ones, so that they can avoid it.

It is supposed to reduce methane production in cattle- which seems a good thing but means there will be additives with possible side effects reaching dairy products and beef.

Hard for the layman to decide whether to use the trial products or not.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2512549/bo ... dairy-cows

https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-i ... aer-trial/

[Badger's Mate]

The first link makes me more inclined to try the stuff!

[Suelle]

Does this mean that Waitrose, which isn't part of the trials, gets it's Arla products from a separate production line?

If the food additive is only for use with cows in milk, it strongly suggests that it isn't fit for human consumption. I imagine they've proved it doesn't get into the milk itself, but what harm will it do to the animals consuming it?

[Stokey Sue]

Hmm - neither article goes for scientific accuracy, one says the enzyme blocked is in the stomach, the other says it’s enteric (intestinal). Which is rather different.

Neither says whether the enzyme (which is not specified) is produced by the cows themselves or the microbes in the gut. I’d worry far more if Bovaer were blocking an enzyme produced by a mammal like us, but I’m 99% certain it will be microbial.

There are a few questions about unwanted effects - up to the farmers and vets in the study to see if the effect on digestion are a worry, but I would worry about releasing Bovaer in cow pats - does it affect the symbiotic microbes in wildlife? Soil microbes..

I’d not worry too much about the milk and boycotting Arla for doing a proper trial doesn’t make perfect sense to me.

PS I assume it is pronounced bove-air, as in cow gas?

[Earthmaiden]

I think it comes from people who are wary of any additive - though perhaps we all should be to a degree, especially if we don't know the right questions to ask. I can see those who want to buy raw milk increasing which may not be ideal.

[Stokey Sue]

Oh yes, it’s the people who don’t use cHeMiCaLs

[Earthmaiden]

. I noticed on FB last night that several smaller dairies were putting up notices stressing that they were not part of the trial. I suppose both reassuring for some and the opportunity for extra trade for the dairies.

[Stokey Sue]

If I were an independent dairy, especially if I was aiming for the organic/local market I would do that - marketing is marketing, seize the day

[Earthmaiden]

Exactly!