Bovaer is not currently being used in dairy cattle in Australia, are any additives being fed or added to Australian dairy cattle feed?

Dairy cows in Australia are often fed nutritional supplements such as vitamins and minerals to support health, fertility and milk production. The dairy industry globally is researching methane-reducing supplements.

You’re correct, the methane-reducing feed additive Bovaer® (3-NOP) is not currently being used in Australian dairy herds. Read more at Is Bovaer being used on Australian dairy farms.

However, dairy cows in Australia are often fed nutritional supplements to ensure the health of the cow. These may include minerals such as calcium and magnesium to support healthy bones and for milk production, or supplements such as ‘buffers’ or yeasts to ensure a healthy gut. These are standard components of dairy nutrition to ensure food safety and animal welfare. 

When it comes to methane-reducing supplements, the industry is actively researching and trialling new options. This includes seaweed-based additives (such as Asparagopsis), which have shown promising methane-reduction results in trials. These are still in early stages of use on dairy farms, as research continues into how best to include them in grazing systems.