Beyond Methane: How a new feed additive is revolutionising Irish farming

The ‘Agriculture and Climate Change: Science into Action’ conference heard about one study which showed that RumenGlas was linked to a 12% improvement in growth rate and feed efficiency, alongside a 10% reduction in methane emissions

(Left to right) Minister of state with responsibility for food promotion, new markets, research and development, Noel Grealish; Bridget Lynch, senior research officer at Teagasc; Taoiseach Micheál Martin; Suzanne Rowe, principal scientist at AgResearch New Zealand; minister for agriculture, food and the marine Martin Heydon at the ‘Agriculture and Climate Change: Science into Action’ conference at Dublin Castle. Picture: Maxwells

Department-funded research unveiled at the Dublin conference dedicated to addressing the intricate relationship between agriculture and climate change has revealed a calcium-peroxide-based feed additive that can cut indoor methane emissions by 10-28%, depending on diet, inclusion rate, and animal type. 

Notably, one study showed that RumenGlas was linked to a 12% improvement in growth rate and feed efficiency, alongside a 10% reduction in methane emissions - the first time this dual benefit has been observed in Ireland.