Rumin8 secures provisional registration for methane-reducing feed additive in New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND – Rumin8, an Australian leader in sustainable livestock farming, has secured provisional registration from New Zealand’s Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) agency for its methane-reducing feed additive.

This provisional approval paves the way for essential efficacy and safety studies in commercial animals, which are critical for obtaining final approval in New Zealand.

The company is developing innovative solid feed and water-delivered formulations that utilize Tribromomethane (TBM), an active compound identified in studies with red seaweed. 

According to David Messina, CEO of Rumin8, TBM significantly mitigates methane production in cattle. 

“A single cow can generate up to three tons of CO2 equivalents of methane per year. Livestock produce methane as a byproduct of methanogenesis, which occurs when cattle break down feed in the rumen. TBM inhibits this process by blocking the action of key enzymes involved in methane production by archaea, microbes in a cow’s rumen,” explained Messina.

This provisional registration is a crucial step in Rumin8’s broader regulatory strategy. The company also engages with the US Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) to gain approvals in these significant markets.

Messina emphasized the importance of animal and human food safety by discussing the challenges and potential regulatory hurdles. 

“Regulators prioritize safety and efficacy in the target production system, considering local feeds and animal management practices. Our 18+ studies worldwide have provided the necessary confidence. Most global regulators look for robust safety profiles, and our ongoing research supports this,” he said.

Rumin8 has been collaborating with commercial and research partners in New Zealand since late 2022 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its technology. 

“Provisional registration indicates that the regulator has reviewed our safety and efficacy data and is satisfied with us proceeding with commercial trials. We will conduct studies focused on New Zealand’s production systems and local feeds to demonstrate our product’s target dose level, efficacy, and long-term safety,” Messina added.

Preliminary trial results are promising, showing that livestock producers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their cattle while increasing meat and milk production. 

“This production increase is crucial as it can offset the product’s cost. We aim to provide environmental and financial benefits for farmers and ranchers,” Messina noted.

At the Breakthrough Energy 2024 Summit in London, Rumin8 presented key results from its methane reduction and productivity improvement studies. Breakthrough Energy, founded by Bill Gates, is a cornerstone investor in Rumin8. 

The company highlighted a controlled cattle study by the University of New England (Armidale, NSW, Australia), which found an 81% reduction in methane yield when trial cattle had access to water troughs dosed with Rumin8’s supplements. 

This method is particularly relevant for the predominant grass-based cattle production systems worldwide.

Messina also discussed Rumin8’s expansion plans to meet the growing demand from farmers in New Zealand and other markets. 

“One of our key advantages is our ability to rapidly scale production using a pharmaceutical process. This allows us to produce our methane-reducing feed and water supplements efficiently,” he concluded.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.