WEBVTT 00:00:10.410 --> 00:00:13.830 Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast. I'm your host, 00:00:13.929 --> 00:00:17.309 Bella. And today we're diving into a hot topic 00:00:17.309 --> 00:00:19.949 that's affecting dairy farmers across the country. 00:00:20.309 --> 00:00:22.769 We're talking about how innovative producers 00:00:22.769 --> 00:00:26.390 are tackling methane reduction while actually 00:00:26.390 --> 00:00:28.949 improving their bottom line. And I'm Douglas, 00:00:29.070 --> 00:00:31.250 joining Bella today to break down the practical 00:00:31.250 --> 00:00:34.250 side of this issue. In today's episode, we'll 00:00:34.250 --> 00:00:37.469 explore the FDA's recent approval of Bover, a 00:00:37.469 --> 00:00:39.810 feed additive that cuts methane emissions by 00:00:39.810 --> 00:00:42.990 30%, along with other strategies like improved 00:00:42.990 --> 00:00:45.789 silage management and targeted breeding approaches. 00:00:46.329 --> 00:00:49.149 We'll also discuss the economic benefits these 00:00:49.149 --> 00:00:52.630 methods can bring to your operation. Curious. 00:00:52.630 --> 00:00:55.490 This is such a timely discussion, Douglas. With 00:00:55.490 --> 00:00:57.649 climate concerns putting dairy in the spotlight, 00:00:58.039 --> 00:01:00.799 farmers are looking for solutions that make both 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:04.120 environmental and economic sense. Let's jump 00:01:04.120 --> 00:01:07.040 right in. Let's start by understanding what Bovair 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:11.560 actually is. Approved by the FDA on May 28, 2024, 00:01:12.099 --> 00:01:15.200 Bovair is the brand name for 3 -nitroxypropanol, 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:18.659 or 3 -no -P for short. It's a feed additive specifically 00:01:18.659 --> 00:01:21.480 designed to reduce methane production in cattle. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:25.239 How exactly does it work? I know our listeners 00:01:25.239 --> 00:01:27.500 will want to understand the science behind it. 00:01:28.750 --> 00:01:31.870 It targets an enzyme called methyl coenzyme M 00:01:31.870 --> 00:01:35.750 -reductase, or MCR, in rumen archaea. These are 00:01:35.750 --> 00:01:38.189 the microorganisms in a cow's digestive system 00:01:38.189 --> 00:01:40.890 that produce methane. By inhibiting this enzyme, 00:01:41.109 --> 00:01:43.430 Bover effectively reduces the amount of methane 00:01:43.430 --> 00:01:46.549 formed during digestion. According to Elanco 00:01:46.549 --> 00:01:48.730 Animal Health data, this equals approximately 00:01:48.730 --> 00:01:51.769 1 .2 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent 00:01:51.769 --> 00:01:56.010 reduced annually per cow. I've heard some consumers 00:01:56.010 --> 00:01:58.540 are worried about safety. What's the current 00:01:58.540 --> 00:02:01.819 status on that front? The Food Standards Agency 00:02:01.819 --> 00:02:04.819 has been very clear on this point. They state, 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:08.219 and I quote, Milk from cows given Bover is safe 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:11.039 to drink. The cows metabolize the additive so 00:02:11.039 --> 00:02:14.180 it does not pass into the milk. Bover has been 00:02:14.180 --> 00:02:16.460 approved not just by the FDA, but also in Great 00:02:16.460 --> 00:02:19.039 Britain, the European Union, Australia, and Canada 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:21.840 after extensive safety evaluations. I've been 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:24.460 seeing some pretty intense reactions on social 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:27.810 media about Bover. Some TikTok users are even 00:02:27.810 --> 00:02:30.030 posting videos of themselves pouring milk down 00:02:30.030 --> 00:02:34.189 the sink. What's going on there? Unfortunately, 00:02:34.490 --> 00:02:36.729 we're seeing what one online commenter called 00:02:36.729 --> 00:02:40.250 essentially another anti -vaccine campaign. People 00:02:40.250 --> 00:02:42.650 are claiming this feed additive is unsafe for 00:02:42.650 --> 00:02:45.449 humans, despite clear scientific evidence to 00:02:45.449 --> 00:02:48.909 the contrary. Bover has undergone extensive safety 00:02:48.909 --> 00:02:51.330 evaluations and received regulatory approval 00:02:51.330 --> 00:02:54.810 for use in dairy cattle. It seems like there's 00:02:54.810 --> 00:02:57.990 a disconnect between the science and public perception. 00:02:58.310 --> 00:03:02.469 Why do you think that is? One industry commentator 00:03:02.469 --> 00:03:05.289 put it well. The term additive has been associated 00:03:05.289 --> 00:03:08.469 with negativity for years. When consumers hear 00:03:08.469 --> 00:03:10.810 chemicals and cows in the same sentence, they 00:03:10.810 --> 00:03:14.189 panic. Even though milk naturally contains thousands 00:03:14.189 --> 00:03:16.969 of chemical compounds. What does the research 00:03:16.969 --> 00:03:20.620 actually show about Beauvais in milk? According 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:22.680 to extensive testing reviewed by the European 00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:25.580 Food Safety Authority, 3 -NOP is not detectable 00:03:25.580 --> 00:03:28.039 in a cow's plasma, milk, or other edible tissues. 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:30.699 This is because the animal's stomach rapidly 00:03:30.699 --> 00:03:33.639 breaks it down into metabolites, primarily 1 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:36.699 ,3 -propanediol, which is mainly exhaled as carbon 00:03:36.699 --> 00:03:39.740 dioxide. While Beauvais is getting all the headlines, 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:42.900 I understand there are other approaches farmers 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:46.539 are using to reduce methane. Let's talk about 00:03:46.539 --> 00:03:50.400 some of those options. Absolutely. One of my 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:52.439 favorites is what I call the silage strategy. 00:03:52.979 --> 00:03:55.960 While not as flashy as feed additives, improving 00:03:55.960 --> 00:03:58.560 your silage game can significantly cut emissions. 00:03:59.460 --> 00:04:02.539 How does better silage translate to lower methane? 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:06.680 It's all about digestibility. Higher digestibility 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:09.620 forage means less fermentation time in the rumen, 00:04:09.639 --> 00:04:12.219 which translates to fewer burps and more milk 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:15.819 per ton of feed. It's about energy efficiency 00:04:15.819 --> 00:04:19.230 as much as environmental impact. Every methane 00:04:19.230 --> 00:04:21.829 molecule represents lost energy that could have 00:04:21.829 --> 00:04:25.370 gone into milk production. What specific silage 00:04:25.370 --> 00:04:29.029 improvements make the biggest difference? Practical. 00:04:29.050 --> 00:04:32.129 As nutrition specialist Tom Wilson, a Yorkshire 00:04:32.129 --> 00:04:34.250 dairy farmer participating in emission reduction 00:04:34.250 --> 00:04:37.910 trials, explains, protein content is the whole 00:04:37.910 --> 00:04:40.589 ballgame. Young grass with high digestibility 00:04:40.589 --> 00:04:43.629 can dramatically reduce methane output, but you've 00:04:43.629 --> 00:04:46.879 got to balance the nutrition carefully. Let's 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:49.980 shift gears and talk about breeding. I understand 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:52.339 some farmers are selecting bulls specifically 00:04:52.339 --> 00:04:56.459 for methane reduction traits. That's right. Take 00:04:56.459 --> 00:04:59.319 Pete Larson, a third -generation Wisconsin dairy 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:03.040 farmer with a 350 -cow operation. He used to 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:05.279 select bulls based solely on milk components 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:08.439 and conformation. Now he's pioneering a different 00:05:08.439 --> 00:05:10.939 approach, breeding cows that naturally produce 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:13.720 less methane. What kind of results is he seeing? 00:05:14.420 --> 00:05:18.000 Larson reports, After implementing targeted breeding 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.399 strategies for four years, our feed costs have 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:23.360 dropped approximately 8 % while maintaining milk 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:26.680 production. The methane reduction is a bonus 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:29.199 positioning us well for future market requirements. 00:05:30.339 --> 00:05:33.399 Is there research backing up this breeding approach? 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:38.120 Yes. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:41.040 School of Veterinary Medicine have confirmed 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:43.579 what innovative farmers discovered through trial 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:46.949 and error. Low -emitting cows tend to be smaller 00:05:46.949 --> 00:05:49.970 and house different microbial communities, and 00:05:49.970 --> 00:05:52.250 these differences were not associated with reduced 00:05:52.250 --> 00:05:55.829 milk production. And what does the science say 00:05:55.829 --> 00:05:59.490 about why this works? Dr. Dipti Pitta, Associate 00:05:59.490 --> 00:06:01.910 Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School 00:06:01.910 --> 00:06:05.389 of Veterinary Medicine, explains it well. Low 00:06:05.389 --> 00:06:08.810 methane emitters are more efficient cows. Methane 00:06:08.810 --> 00:06:10.949 formation is an energy -inefficient process, 00:06:11.269 --> 00:06:14.279 so reducing methane production gives that energy 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:17.040 back to the cow for metabolic activities, including 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:20.899 improved growth rate and milk production. These 00:06:20.899 --> 00:06:23.639 approaches sound promising, but I imagine there 00:06:23.639 --> 00:06:27.040 are challenges to implementing them. What obstacles 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:31.519 are dairy farmers facing? You're right. Despite 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:33.459 the promising potential, there are legitimate 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:36.560 hurdles. Dr. Frank Mitloehner, professor and 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:38.740 air quality extension specialist at UC Davis, 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:41.959 points out that The upfront costs of feed additives 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:44.420 like Bover remain a concern for many producers. 00:06:44.819 --> 00:06:47.720 Without processor premiums or carbon market access, 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:50.519 producers must carefully evaluate the return 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:53.800 on investment. What are the main barriers farmers 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:57.500 are encountering? Industry analysts point to 00:06:57.500 --> 00:07:00.579 several common challenges. First, initial implementation 00:07:00.579 --> 00:07:04.439 costs without immediate financial returns. Second, 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:07.339 integration complexities with existing feeding 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:10.639 systems. Third, market uncertainty around carbon 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:13.259 credit pricing. And fourth, consumer acceptance 00:07:13.259 --> 00:07:16.180 of new technologies. Are farmers finding ways 00:07:16.180 --> 00:07:19.639 to overcome these barriers? The good news is 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:21.920 that early adopters are finding these barriers 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:24.860 surmountable. Pete Larson shared his approach. 00:07:25.519 --> 00:07:27.939 We started with a small test group to minimize 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:31.220 upfront costs. This allowed us to document benefits 00:07:31.220 --> 00:07:34.220 before scaling up. The key is starting small 00:07:34.220 --> 00:07:38.180 and expanding as you see results. Let's talk 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:41.540 about the role milk processors and cooperatives 00:07:41.540 --> 00:07:43.660 are playing in this methane reduction effort. 00:07:45.160 --> 00:07:47.639 Cooperatives and processors are quickly becoming 00:07:47.639 --> 00:07:50.100 key players in the methane reduction ecosystem. 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:53.819 As Nestle, Danone, and other major dairy buyers 00:07:53.819 --> 00:07:56.920 set ambitious carbon reduction targets, they're 00:07:56.920 --> 00:07:59.079 developing incentive programs for producers. 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:02.279 What specific programs are available to help 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:05.410 farmers? Dairy Farmers of America, the largest 00:08:05.410 --> 00:08:07.870 U .S. dairy cooperative, has launched sustainability 00:08:07.870 --> 00:08:11.709 programs to help its 12 ,500 family farm owners 00:08:11.709 --> 00:08:14.569 reduce environmental impact while improving profitability. 00:08:15.370 --> 00:08:18.170 Jackie Klippenstein, Senior Vice President at 00:08:18.170 --> 00:08:21.629 DFA, explains, Our gold standard dairy program 00:08:21.629 --> 00:08:23.949 helps producers document their sustainability 00:08:23.949 --> 00:08:27.069 efforts and prepare for future market opportunities. 00:08:27.649 --> 00:08:30.529 Are these programs creating financial incentives 00:08:30.529 --> 00:08:34.870 for farmers? Absolutely. Processors are increasingly 00:08:34.870 --> 00:08:38.889 linking sustainability to market access. Land 00:08:38.889 --> 00:08:41.250 O 'Lakes' Trutera Sustainability Program connects 00:08:41.250 --> 00:08:43.750 farmers with buyers willing to pay premiums for 00:08:43.750 --> 00:08:46.610 verified sustainable practices, creating financial 00:08:46.610 --> 00:08:50.049 incentives for methane reduction. Let's compare 00:08:50.049 --> 00:08:52.289 the different methane reduction strategies available 00:08:52.289 --> 00:08:55.870 to farmers. What kind of reduction can each approach 00:08:55.870 --> 00:08:59.740 achieve? Here's how they stack up. Bovair can 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:02.720 reduce methane by up to 30 % and will be available 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:07.240 in Q3 2024. It delivers about 1 .2 metric tons 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:09.960 of CO2 equivalent reduction per cow per year. 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:13.440 Young digestible grass can also reduce methane 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:16.580 by up to 30 % with the benefit of improved feed 00:09:16.580 --> 00:09:18.659 efficiency and can be implemented immediately 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:22.460 depending on the season. Increasing maize silage 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:25.519 can cut methane by 5 -10 % by your next harvest, 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:28.259 with improved nitrogen efficiency as a bonus. 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:31.200 And methane -focused genetics can reduce emissions 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:34.659 by up to 22 % over the long term while maintaining 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:38.299 production levels. What about the safety of these 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:42.220 approaches? For Bover specifically, no residues 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:44.960 are detected in milk or tissues because the additive 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:48.399 is metabolized by cows. and regulatory agencies 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:51.159 have found no safety concerns when used at approved 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:54.840 doses. So, what about organic dairy producers? 00:09:55.320 --> 00:09:58.460 Are there methane reduction strategies that work 00:09:58.460 --> 00:10:01.320 within organic certification requirements? Yes, 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:03.779 while synthetic additives like Bovair face consumer 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:06.399 resistance, other interventions are gaining traction 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:09.279 among organic producers looking for natural approaches 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:13.139 to emission reduction. Curious, what kinds of 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:16.009 natural approaches are working? Melissa Chambers, 00:10:16.129 --> 00:10:19.129 an Oregon organic dairy owner, sees it as a potential 00:10:19.129 --> 00:10:22.309 marketing win. We're reducing our carbon footprint 00:10:22.309 --> 00:10:24.970 while improving cow health with management practices 00:10:24.970 --> 00:10:28.389 consumers understand. There's less pushback when 00:10:28.389 --> 00:10:31.490 the approach seems natural. Let's talk dollars 00:10:31.490 --> 00:10:34.970 and cents. What's the economic reality of implementing 00:10:34.970 --> 00:10:38.710 methane reduction strategies? The economic reality 00:10:38.710 --> 00:10:41.269 is that methane reduction strategies require 00:10:41.269 --> 00:10:45.100 investment. farmers have significant support 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:49.320 through USDA programs. For fiscal year 2023, 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.860 the department awarded more than $90 million 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:54.899 to dairy farmer -owned cooperatives and partner 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:57.179 organizations for innovative feed management 00:10:57.179 --> 00:11:00.200 under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:04.200 Beyond government support, are there other financial 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:08.659 benefits? Absolutely. Elanco has developed a 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:10.960 platform that helps producers connect with carbon 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:14.100 markets. providing an opportunity for a diversified 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:16.779 income stream that's not dependent on milk markets. 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:20.039 Some dairy operations sell carbon credits from 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:22.519 documented methane reductions, generating additional 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:25.659 revenue. Others leverage sustainability grants 00:11:25.659 --> 00:11:28.240 to modernize feed systems while cutting emissions. 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:36.960 As Pete Larson insists, this isn't charity. Every 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:39.220 methane molecule we eliminate represents energy 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:42.250 that stays in our production system. The climate 00:11:42.250 --> 00:11:45.850 benefit is just a bonus. Help our listeners understand 00:11:45.850 --> 00:11:49.110 why reducing methane makes business sense beyond 00:11:49.110 --> 00:11:52.950 just environmental concerns. Methane is the second 00:11:52.950 --> 00:11:56.250 most plentiful and potent greenhouse gas, packing 00:11:56.250 --> 00:11:59.509 a punch in the short term. It's 25 times more 00:11:59.509 --> 00:12:03.409 potent than carbon dioxide over 100 years. When 00:12:03.409 --> 00:12:05.210 cows produce methane through their digestive 00:12:05.210 --> 00:12:08.090 process, it's not just an environmental concern. 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:11.759 It represents an energy loss and reduction in 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:14.759 feed efficiency. So reducing methane is actually 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:19.779 about capturing lost energy. Exactly. If we can 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:21.899 keep that energy in the animal instead of losing 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:24.799 it as gas, we see significant efficiency gains. 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:28.240 It's the same reason car manufacturers work to 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:31.320 eliminate wasted fuel as exhaust. For farmers 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:33.399 listening who want to get started with methane 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:37.570 reduction, what steps should they take? First, 00:12:37.809 --> 00:12:40.690 assess your current emissions baseline. Connect 00:12:40.690 --> 00:12:43.169 with your cooperative or processor about carbon 00:12:43.169 --> 00:12:46.370 measurement tools, or consider working with Elanco's 00:12:46.370 --> 00:12:49.350 Uplook Sustainability Insights engine. What about 00:12:49.350 --> 00:12:53.529 funding options? Explore the USDA Regional Conservation 00:12:53.529 --> 00:12:56.929 Partnership Program, with over $90 million available. 00:12:57.870 --> 00:13:00.669 Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation 00:13:00.669 --> 00:13:03.889 Service office for application guidance and explore 00:13:03.889 --> 00:13:06.289 processor sustainability incentive programs. 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:09.220 Once they have funding lined up, how do they 00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:12.759 choose a strategy? Consider feed additives like 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:17.179 Bovair, available Q3 2024 through Elanco, or 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:19.580 work with genetics providers on methane -efficient 00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:23.159 bloodlines. You might also consult with a nutritionist 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:26.419 on silage optimization. The key is choosing what 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:29.879 works best for your specific operation. And how 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:33.700 can farmers monetize their reductions? Look into 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:36.340 carbon credit verification through third parties 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:39.779 like Athean or Trutera and explore potential 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:42.399 premium market access through sustainable milk 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:45.820 programs. We've compiled some common questions 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:49.539 from dairy farmers about methane reduction. Let's 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:53.679 address a few of those now. Great idea. One common 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:56.019 question is whether methane reduction is economically 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:59.899 viable for small and mid -sized dairies. It's 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:04.019 the answer to that. Dr. Frank Mitliner from UC 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:07.100 Davis says, Absolutely. While large operations 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:09.639 may have more resources for implementation, smaller 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:12.019 farms often have greater flexibility to adapt 00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:15.059 quickly. The key is choosing the right strategy 00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:18.379 for your operation size. Feed management improvements 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:21.320 typically have the fastest ROI for smaller farms, 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:24.000 while genetics provide long -term benefits for 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:28.490 all herd sizes. Another question we hear often 00:14:28.490 --> 00:14:31.309 is how soon farmers can expect to see results 00:14:31.309 --> 00:14:34.710 from methane reduction efforts. Dr. Dipti Pitta 00:14:34.710 --> 00:14:36.789 from the University of Pennsylvania explains, 00:14:37.269 --> 00:14:40.389 Feed additives can reduce emissions almost immediately 00:14:40.389 --> 00:14:43.330 while breeding approaches take longer, typically 00:14:43.330 --> 00:14:46.269 several years to see significant herd -wide changes. 00:14:46.610 --> 00:14:49.549 The feed efficiency benefits often appear before 00:14:49.549 --> 00:14:52.149 the full climate benefits are realized, which 00:14:52.149 --> 00:14:55.570 helps offset implementation costs. Where can 00:14:55.570 --> 00:14:59.330 producers go for implementation support? Jackie 00:14:59.330 --> 00:15:01.830 Klippenstein from Dairy Farmers of America recommends, 00:15:02.169 --> 00:15:05.110 start with your cooperative or processor, as 00:15:05.110 --> 00:15:07.649 many have sustainability teams dedicated to helping 00:15:07.649 --> 00:15:10.830 members. The Innovation Center for U .S. Dairy 00:15:10.830 --> 00:15:13.669 offers excellent resources, and your local extension 00:15:13.669 --> 00:15:15.750 office can connect you with regional experts. 00:15:16.690 --> 00:15:19.809 We've covered a lot of ground today. From bovair 00:15:19.809 --> 00:15:22.809 to breeding, silage management to carbon markets, 00:15:23.149 --> 00:15:25.769 it's clear that dairy farmers have multiple pathways 00:15:25.769 --> 00:15:28.070 to reduce methane while improving profitability. 00:15:29.049 --> 00:15:31.529 The key takeaways are that multiple reduction 00:15:31.529 --> 00:15:34.370 strategies exist, giving farmers flexibility 00:15:34.370 --> 00:15:36.889 based on their operation size and management 00:15:36.889 --> 00:15:40.409 style. Economic returns come through improved 00:15:40.409 --> 00:15:43.730 feed efficiency, access to premium markets, and 00:15:43.730 --> 00:15:46.730 carbon credit opportunities. Starting small and 00:15:46.730 --> 00:15:49.570 documenting results is a proven approach, and 00:15:49.570 --> 00:15:51.909 early adopters will have a competitive edge as 00:15:51.909 --> 00:15:55.070 regulations evolve. The battle for dairy's climate 00:15:55.070 --> 00:15:57.769 future won't be won by government edicts or activist 00:15:57.769 --> 00:16:01.509 pressure. It will be decided by farmers who recognize 00:16:01.509 --> 00:16:03.870 that emission reduction isn't just an environmental 00:16:03.870 --> 00:16:08.230 imperative, it's a competitive advantage. As 00:16:08.230 --> 00:16:11.190 National Milk Producers Federation CEO Greg Dowd 00:16:11.190 --> 00:16:14.340 notes, Innovations like Bovair will help U .S. 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:16.820 dairy farmers remain globally competitive and 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:19.100 maintain their role as leaders in more sustainable 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:22.899 dairy production. Whether through breeding, feeding, 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:25.620 or advanced additives, tomorrow's dairy leaders 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:28.159 will cut gas while pumping up profits today. 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:31.899 The climate critics don't want you to know the 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:34.759 truth. Dairy farmers aren't the problem. They're 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:37.779 pioneering the solution. One burp -free cow at 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:41.429 a time. That's all for today's episode of the 00:16:41.429 --> 00:16:43.990 Bullvine Podcast. If you found this information 00:16:43.990 --> 00:16:46.289 valuable, please share it with your fellow dairy 00:16:46.289 --> 00:16:49.070 farmers. And don't forget to subscribe wherever 00:16:49.070 --> 00:16:52.769 you get your podcasts. Until next time, I'm Bella. 00:16:53.529 --> 00:16:56.529 And I'm Douglas, wishing you efficient herds 00:16:56.529 --> 00:16:57.669 and profitable production.