$6.5M boost for NZ scientists developing methane inhibitor for grazing livestock

2 September 2025

AgriZero^NZ and the Ag Emissions Centre are investing $4m and $2.5m respectively to ramp up efforts to develop at least one cost-effective methane inhibitor.

The work, led by the AgResearch Group which is part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI), builds on foundational research co-funded by the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium (PGgRc) and the Ag Emissions Centre. AgriZero^NZ had previously invested an additional $1million in 2023, while it explored the best way to support acceleration of the work.

As part of the agreement, the programme has been re-shaped with a stronger focus on commercialisation, and all related intellectual property has been transferred to AgriZero^NZ (from the PGgRc and the Ministry for Primary Industries). A strengthened collaboration with Zoetis also has the global animal health company poised to commercialise any breakthrough.

Wayne McNee, AgriZero^NZ chief executive says the co-investment builds on the expertise and findings to date, to drive a fresh focus on delivering a practical solution for farmers.

“Kiwi farmers are highly emissions efficient producers of milk and meat but we need to keep making progress to meet the global demand for lower emissions products from our export customers, and it’s critical we give farmers tools to do that.

“We’re fortunate in New Zealand to have world-leading scientists with a great deal of expertise in developing solutions for our pasture-based farms and the ongoing involvement from Zoetis in this work is testament to that."

A methane inhibitor is a chemical compound that reduces the activity of methane-forming microbes (called methanogens) in ruminant animals, such as cattle, sheep, deer and goats. These animals produce methane in their rumen, or stomach, as they digest their food and then burp it out into the atmosphere.

The research has recently narrowed in on a number of stand-out compounds with initial results from clinical research studies showing promising methane reduction. The team is now seeking to prove the effectiveness of these in grazing animals while continuing to explore new compounds that might do the job even better.

Dr Sinead Leahy, Ag Emissions Centre principal scientist, says reducing methane in grazing livestock presents unique challenges so the Kiwi-focus is vital to the programme’s success.

“A lot of overseas research on this is focused on giving the animal something in every mouthful of feed and that’s just not practical for New Zealand farms, where our animals mainly live outdoors, grazing on pasture.

“The beauty of this work is that we’re searching for what works in a pasture system first, not something that reduces methane then trying to figure out if it works in pasture."

Rob Polzer, Executive Vice President and President of Research and Development at Zoetis, said this research collaboration exemplifies Zoetis' proactive approach in developing durable and innovative solutions for the reduction of methane emissions from various ruminant production systems.

"This partnership is particularly relevant in the context of designing solutions which are applicable to extensive grazing systems.  By collaborating with world class scientists and experts we enhance our internal efforts to provide our customers with cutting-edge solutions that promote healthier, more productive livestock while safeguarding the environment."

A successful inhibitor could be given to animals in a variety of ways, including a feed additive or bolus. It would also require regulatory approval to ensure its safety.

Before the inhibitor product can be made available to New Zealand farmers, it would require approval under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).