Feed additives fed to cows are reducing the climate footprint of cheese
Fredrik Åkerman (Volta Greentech), Madelaine Kastberg (Axfood), Helena Allard (Axfood)
PRESS-RELEASE 13 NOVEMBER 2024
Methane emissions from cows and other ruminants make up a significant portion of greenhouse gases from Swedish agriculture. A collaboration has now begun on a methane-reducing feed supplement, aiming to create a cheese with a lower climate impact, set to reach the market this spring. The project involves the entire food chain, from Fröstorp farm and Gäsene dairy to Volta Greentech and the retail group Axfood.
“To significantly reduce the climate impact of food, more solutions at the farm level are needed that can be easily scaled up to bring sustainable products to the customer’s shopping cart. Collaboration throughout the entire food supply chain is crucial for success,” says Helena Allard, sustainability innovator at Axfood.
At Fröstorp Farm near Herrljunga in western Sweden, the methane-reducing feed supplement Bovaer® is going to be mixed into the feed of approximately 600 cows. A monitoring station has been installed in the barn to measure methane levels in the cows' breath, both before and during the use of the supplement, allowing precise tracking of its impact on emissions.
The goal of the project is to reduce the climate impact of the cheese “Hushållsost” from Garant, one of Axfood Group's private-label brands. If the trials with the feed additives yield the desired results, the Garant cheese with a reduced climate footprint will be launched this spring.
On picture: Emil Karlsson (Fröstorps gård), Marcus Jansson (Gäsene mejeri), Angelo Demeter (Volta Greentech) and journalist Julia Lindvall from SVT
The project is led by the Swedish biotech company Volta Greentech in collaboration with Gäsene Dairy and Dagab, the purchasing and logistics company within the retail group Axfood. The aim is to gather knowledge and experience that will allow for scaling up to include more farms and products. Over time, the project aims to incorporate even more effective feed additives to achieve further reductions in methane emissions.
In 2023, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) described methane-reducing feed additives as one of the few effective measures to reduce emissions from animal digestion and urged the government to investigate their feasibility, potential, and socio-economic impacts. The stakeholders in this project see significant potential in these feed additives.
“To succeed with climate initiatives, it’s critical to have data on how much CO2-equivalents are reduced and at what cost. This enables informed decision-making on climate actions. We are convinced that feed additives will soon become an industry standard because they are both measurable and cost-effective,” says Fredrik Åkerman, CEO of Volta Greentech.
The methane-reducing supplement Bovaer® is added in small doses to the cows' feed and does not affect the taste or texture of the cheese. The supplement’s effect is immediate, reaching full efficacy within about two days. Previous measurements show that methane emissions decrease by approximately 30 percent per day. The supplement has been rigorously tested and approved by the European Commission.
“We believe it’s important to participate in a project that contributes to reducing agricultural emissions, further positioning Swedish dairy products as leaders in sustainability,” says Marcus Jansson, CEO of Gäsene Dairy.
Using a well-known and popular product like this cheese is an advantage, as it reduces the need for extensive information campaigns or marketing efforts. Consumers are already familiar with the product, making it easier to achieve results and more quickly reduce emissions. By choosing Garant “Hushållsost” Cheese, consumers can actively contribute to driving sustainable progress.
For more information:
Magnus Törnblom, presschef Axfood, 070-266 27 12, magnus.tornblom@axfood.se
Fredrik Åkerman, CEO Volta Greentech, 070-770 86 33, fredrik@voltagreentech.com
