I'm calling on you to use the upcoming Farm Bill to encourage research and development of methane-reducing vaccines for cattle!
Boston startup ArkeaBio has developed a vaccine to reduce methane production in cattle, which works by directing the cow’s immune system to create antibodies against methane-producing bacteria. Early small-scale trials are finding that vaccinated cattle saw methane production decrease by around 13%. The Bezos Earth Fund is also investing in grants for researchers trying to better understand the immunology that would enable future vaccines to further address methane in cattle.
These early actions on cattle methane vaccine research constitute a relatively small step, but one with the potential to help solve a very big problem. Agriculture is the biggest source of human-produced methane emissions, and methane (CH4) is a major greenhouse gas that’s the second-biggest contributor to global warming behind carbon dioxide (CO2).
I urge you to pass a Farm Bill promoting R&D on methane-reducing vaccines for cattle!
First sent on September 4, 2024 by Jess Craven
