Carbon News
  • Members
    • Login
      Forgot Password?
    • Not a member? Subscribe
    • Forgot Password
      Back to Login
    • Not a member? Subscribe
  • Home
  • New Zealand
    • Politics
    • Energy
    • Agriculture
    • Carbon emissions
    • Transport
    • Forestry
    • Business
  • Markets
    • Analysis
    • NZ carbon price
  • International
    • Australia
    • United States
    • China
    • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Canada
    • Asia
    • Pacific
    • Antarctic/Arctic
    • Africa
    • South America
    • United Nations
  • News Direct
    • Media releases
    • Climate calendar
  • About Carbon News
    • Contact us
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Service
    • Policies

AgriZeroNZ backs methane-cutting probiotic in first Australian investment

8 May 2025

Bovotica is a Queensland-based agtech company aiming to reduce methane emissions from cattle and boost productivity
Image: Supplied
Bovotica is a Queensland-based agtech company aiming to reduce methane emissions from cattle and boost productivity

Media release | AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership accelerating development of tools to help farmers cut emissions, is investing NZ$1.5 million in Bovotica, a pioneering Australian start-up aiming to reduce methane emissions from cattle and boost productivity.

AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne McNee says this latest investment complements its diverse $61 million portfolio as part of its efforts to provide farmers with a range of affordable, effective mitigation solutions.


“We want to provide Kiwi farmers with a range of high-impact solutions to choose from to reduce their animals’ emissions and maintain their competitive edge on the global stage,” says McNee.


Bovotica researchers have identified microbes that naturally occur in the rumen (stomach) of low methane-emitting cattle. A probiotic containing these microbes would be given to cattle to divert energy from producing methane to boosting weight gain or milk production.


Established by Dr Andrew Leech and founders Professor Gene Tyson and Professor Phil Pope from Queensland University of Technology, Bovotica recently completed its seed funding round, with AgriZeroNZ being the lead investor.


McNee says the investment illustrates its commitment to giving New Zealand farmers access to the latest innovations from across the world, with investments in the U.S., Sweden, Australia and New Zealand.


“We’re scanning the world for tools and tech to help New Zealand farmers cut emissions, so they can meet the demands from our export customers and keep generating the premium they deserve for their grass-fed milk and meat,” says McNee.


“Bovotica has an exceptional team with a proven track record, working on cutting-edge science to help farmers reduce emissions while increasing efficiency and production. We’re excited about its potential and are pleased to help Bovotica take its science to the next level for Kiwi farmers.”


Bovotica’s chief executive, Dr Andrew Leech, says its probiotic aims to naturally modulate the microbes in cattle’s stomach to reduce methane emissions, while improving performance.


Dr Leech says they’re initially targeting a 50 per cent reduction in methane and a 5 per cent increase in production, with two solutions in development to cater for different farming systems.


“The first product we’re working on will be blended into feed, making it suitable for dairy cows in New Zealand who get fed a supplement. Our second phase of development is a long-acting oral drench, specially designed for grass-fed beef and dairy cattle.


“This support from AgriZeroNZ will help us get closer to making our product available to farmers, with animal trials set to take place in early 2026.”


McNee notes another benefit to the potential emissions-cutting tool is the ease with which it could be made available to New Zealand farmers.


“The probiotic blend is likely to have a streamlined pathway to get regulatory approval given the microbes are naturally present within the rumen of low methane-emitting animals.”


AgriZeroNZ’s investment in Bovotica is a welcome addition to its portfolio of investments which includes a methane-inhibiting bolus, vaccines, probiotics, feed additives and low-emissions pasture.


Related Topics:   Agriculture Science

More >
Media releases
More >

Budget 2025 needs to prioritise a thriving and resilient Pacific region

Fri 16 May 2025

Media release | World Vision New Zealand is urging the government to prioritise Pacific prosperity and resilience with strong investment in climate finance and foreign aid as part of Budget 2025.

NZ’s methane reducing vaccine selected as global finalist for Innovation Showcase

Fri 16 May 2025

Media release | New Zealand agricultural biotech company Lucidome Bio has been selected as one of just fourteen global finalists to pitch at the Animal Health, Nutrition and Technology Innovation USA event this week in Boston – a significant opportunity to showcase its world-first methane-reducing vaccine on the international stage.

Antarctic expedition unearths clues to climate catastrophe

Thu 15 May 2025

Media release | Rocks from the coldest continent hold clues to an extinction event 183 million years ago.

Ampol exits retail electricity, Meridian takes on customers

Wed 14 May 2025

Media release | Meridian Energy Limited (Meridian) has entered into an agreement with Z Energy (100% owned by Ampol Limited (Ampol) (that will see Flick and Z Energy customer contracts and the related hedge book move to Meridian.

Council steps up climate action with Toitū carbon reduce certification programme

Wed 14 May 2025

Media release: Ruapehu District Council is taking a significant step in its climate change response by undertaking the Toitū Carbon Reduce certification programme, a science-based initiative that supports organisations to measure, verify, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

‘Serious’ game looks at coastal climate change

Tue 13 May 2025

Media release | A new online game that enables New Zealanders to experience a climate-changed future and explore choices has been launched this month to get 10,000 game-plays over the wettest time of the year.

New study reveals climate change is already impacting The Andes

Mon 12 May 2025

Media release | Seven nations sharing world’s longest mountain range already impacted by climate change.

Conference to tackle flooding and storms to build a climate-resilient future

9 May 2025

Protecting communities from flooding and ensuring a sustainable and climate resilient water future will be a key focus at a major stormwater conference in Rotorua next week.

Transpower proposes up to $1.4 billion investment in Cook Strait electricity link

8 May 2025

Media release | Transpower is seeking views on a proposed investment of up to $1.4 billion in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Cook Strait electricity link to ensure it can deliver an affordable and reliable electricity supply to the country as the economy electrifies over the next 40 years.

Carbon News

Subscriptions, Advertising & General

manager@carbonnews.co.nz

Editorial

news@carbonnews.co.nz

We welcome comments, news tips and suggestions - please also use this address to submit all media releases for News Direct).

Useful Links
Home About Carbon News Contact us Advertising Subscribe Service Policies
New Zealand
Politics Energy Agriculture Carbon emissions Transport Forestry Business
International
Australia United States China Europe United Kingdom Canada Asia Pacific Antarctic/Arctic Africa South America United Nations
Home
Markets
Analysis NZ carbon price
News Direct
Media releases Climate calendar

© 2008-2025 Carbon News. All Rights Reserved. • Your IP Address: 18.97.9.171 • User account: Sign In

Please wait...
Audit log: