Norwegian dairy authorities have temporarily suspended testing of a methane-reducing cattle feed supplement following animal health concerns. The research project involving 3,500 cows across 70 dairy farms has been paused pending investigation into cattle deaths and health issues.
Two cows from a farm participating in the methane reduction research died during the trial period. Officials confirm both animals were treated for hardware disease, a condition where cattle ingest sharp metal objects through feed. One cow died on October 22 after veterinary treatment, while another was euthanized following examination at the veterinary college.
Johnny Ødegård, director of the Norwegian dairy organization overseeing the project, stated there's no current evidence connecting the deaths to the Bovaer feed supplement. He explained both cows showed symptoms consistent with metal object ingestion, a common agricultural issue.
The research suspension on November 12 came after Danish farmers reported reduced milk production, decreased appetite, and occasional collapse in cattle using similar methane-reducing supplements. Norwegian authorities immediately requested farmers report any similar symptoms among their herds.
Six Norwegian producers have since reported individual cows showing reduced appetite, lower milk production, and diarrhea. Officials note these symptoms commonly occur in dairy herds regardless of feed supplements, often without identifiable specific causes.
Bovaer works by inhibiting an enzyme in cow stomachs necessary for methane production, potentially reducing emissions by 15-25 percent. The supplement is approved and used in several EU countries, though Norway's conventional farming sector faces a 2027 mandate requiring methane-reducing feed for at least 80 days annually.
The Norwegian Farmers' Federation supports such measures as crucial for cutting climate gas emissions without reducing national food production. However, the current research pause highlights the balancing act between environmental goals and animal welfare concerns.
This situation reflects broader challenges in agricultural innovation, where new environmental technologies must demonstrate both efficacy and safety. The Norwegian approach of pausing research pending investigation shows cautious regulatory oversight, particularly when animal health reports emerge from neighboring countries.
Research continues to determine optimal dosing methods that ensure animals receive proper amounts evenly distributed throughout the day. The project's primary goal remains identifying practical implementation methods rather than questioning the supplement's fundamental safety.
Norwegian authorities emphasize they will share conclusions openly once definitive findings emerge. The current investigation involves gathering additional information since researchers cannot access the carcasses directly.
The case illustrates how agricultural innovations often face scrutiny when scaling from laboratory conditions to real-world farming operations. Environmental solutions must prove compatible with animal welfare standards and practical farming realities.