- BioLumic, a startup known for its UV light technology in crop enhancement, is extending its research to pasture grass to tackle methane emissions associated with cattle farming.
- Partnering with AgriZeroNZ and backed by a $3 million commitment, BioLumic aims to adapt its UV light methods to enhance the fat content of ryegrass, potentially reducing methane emissions from cattle by over 12%.
- Recent findings suggest that a modest 3% increase in the fat content of ryegrass could significantly lower methane emissions from cattle, highlighting the impact of diet composition on emission levels.
- This strategic expansion reflects BioLumic’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, targeting a crucial aspect of greenhouse gas emissions in livestock farming and aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change.
BioLumic, a pioneering startup specialising in ultraviolet light treatments to enhance plant traits, is broadening its research horizons by venturing beyond food crops into pasture grass to address methane emissions from cattle.
The company, renowned for its patented technology used in improving corn, soybeans, and other crops, is now focusing on ryegrass with the support of AgriZeroNZ, a New Zealand-based joint venture.
AgriZeroNZ has committed $3 million to this initiative, enabling BioLumic to adapt its innovative UV light methods to benefit pasture grass.
Research has revealed a promising correlation between animal diet composition and methane emissions. Animals on high-fat diets tend to emit lower methane levels.
By elevating the fat content of ryegrass by just 3%, methane emissions from cattle can be reduced by over 12%, as highlighted in a recent news release.
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This strategic shift underscores BioLumic’s dedication to sustainable agriculture and combating climate change by targeting a key contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector.
The expansion into pasture grass not only expands the company’s reach but also promises significant environmental benefits, aligning with global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of livestock farming
“There is a very real and very disruptive risk to our dairy and meat sectors from the need to reduce emissions but there is also a very real opportunity to stay among the most efficient producers of dairy products and meat in the world if we can get the right tools to farmers,” Wayne McNee, Chief Executive of AgriZeroNZ, said in a statement.
Established in 2013, BioLumic harnesses light signalling to enhance growth, quality, and health traits across diverse plant species. Alongside their work with ryegrass, the company is pioneering methods to mitigate methane emissions from rice, supported by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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