Agrifirm and Swiss agri-tech company, VetosEurope, have announced an exclusive distribution partnership for a methane blocker.
Anavrin is a feed compound reported to reduce methane emissions in livestock farming while boosting animal performance.
This agreement covers select European countries including the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.
“What we bring to this partnership is the connection to dairy farmers in these key regions,” said Harrie van der Vliet, global lead dairy specialties and portfolio manager, EMEA Cattle, at Agrifirm.
Anavrin is formulated from “natural and nature-identical” components such as essential oils, tannins, and bioflavonoids.
“Essential oils play a key role in influencing the growth kinetics of certain bacteria, while tannins positively affect protein metabolism and have anti-inflammatory properties, and bioflavonoids act as antioxidants.”
Supporting data
The product has undergone extensive research.
Studies at Wageningen University, the University of Milan, and the Universidad de la Repubblica de Montevideo demonstrate methane emissions reduction of up to 20%, depending on animal type, diet, and region, explained Gianluigi Sgarbi, COO of VetosEurope.
Initially focused on improving milk and meat production, Anavrin’s methane-reducing capabilities gained prominence five years ago, prompting further investment in global trials.
VetosEurope collaborated with universities worldwide to ensure robust, region-specific results.
Studies have been conducted with various technologies, including SF6 measurements and metabolic chambers, outlined Sgarbi.
And trials are ongoing.
Additionally, The Carbon Trust has validated the product’s impact, solidifying its credentials in methane mitigation, he confirmed.
Cost benefits
In addition to environmental benefits, field trials indicate significant improvements in milk yield, turning energy savings into measurable economic advantages for farmers, he told us on a call last week.
With a daily cost of less than €0.15 per animal, depending on the farming region, Anavrin offers a compelling return on investment, said the COO.
Even a modest increase of 0.3 liters of milk per cow per day covers the product’s cost, making it an accessible solution for farmers, he argued.
The product’s versatility further enhances its appeal; it can be incorporated into pellets or lick blocks, requiring minimal dosage, he remarked.
“Anavrin’s performance benefits ensure it will eventually pay for itself,” claimed Sgarbi. “Thanks to this partnership, the product will now reach more farmers across Europe.”
Competitive landscape
Anavrin is one of a growing portfolio of methane-reducing feed blockers based on bioactive compounds such as Agolin Ruminant, Mootral Ruminant, and SilvaFeed BX.
However, Anavrin’s dual focus on performance enhancement and methane reduction sets it apart, according to van der Vliet.
The alliance between Agrifirm and VetosEurope aims to expand Anavrin’s reach. The product is currently used in feed for 400,000 cattle worldwide. “Our target is its use in one million head of cattle within the next three years,” revealed Sgarbi.
Carbon markets
The collaborators see enormous potential in voluntary carbon markets and precise methane quantification to accelerate sustainable farming practices and to ensure wider adoption of methane blockers on-farm.
Effective and trustworthy voluntary carbon markets can support faster and more ambitious climate action as they can facilitate trade in carbon certificates, where one certificate equals one ton of CO2, they added.
But van der Vliet stressed that policymakers both in Europe and further afield need to identify a consistent approach for accurate quantification of methane emission sources.
