MORT & Co will continue its work in developing solutions for graziers in reducing methane emissions, thanks to a grant from the Australian Government’s Methane Emissions Reduction in Livestock (MERiL) research and development program.

The grant, valued at $2.12m, will see the company develop a commercial solution for delivering methane-inhibiting feed additives to cattle in lick blocks.

Building on previous successful research, this project will demonstrate the commercial readiness of technologies for delivering methane-reducing feed additive (asparagopsis, Bovaer, Agolin, and Nitrate) through lick-blocks to large-scale cattle grazing systems in Queensland.

Mort & Co feed supplementation manager Cameron Best says the research conducted by the company provides a solution to a current lack of viable market options for methane reduction in a grazing scenario.

“Around 95% of cattle and sheep in Australia are farmed in extensive grazing systems, with limited options available to deliver emission reduction of any significance. Lick blocks are a common mode of nutrient delivery to animals within these environments, so it is an obvious choice for our research and is already showing exciting results.”

Mort & Co is also working on validating its Predictor Plus technology that provides a software program enabling graziers to predict the emissions of grazing animals.

“We’re confident that the software combined with the lick blocks, will be key to reducing methane emissions across the livestock sector, with the added benefit of expanding the capabilities of supplement blocks for a larger seasonal widow of nutrient uptake across rangeland cattle.”

Mort & Co Sustainability Manager, Brad Robinson, says the project comes as part of Mort & Co’s ongoing investment in sustainability and commitment to leading the industry toward Net Zero targets.

“We’re conscious of our responsibility – not only as a company, but for the wider meat and livestock industry. As a result, Mort & Co has set  out to lead the industry into more sustainable ways of doing business, ensuring benefits for our clients, customers and wider communities.”

The MERiL program comprises 3 stages of funding, running from 2021–22 to 2026–27.

The program also contributes to Australian’s commitment to the Global Methane Pledge. The pledge is a voluntary commitment to reduce global methane emissions across agriculture, energy and resources and waste sectors.

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government.

Source: Mort & Co