A methane-reducing vaccine, developed by Kiwi scientists is getting closer to becoming a reality with the AgriZeroNZ and New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) announcement this week of the establishment of Lucidome Bio, which will spearhead methane vaccine research in New Zealand going forward.
The initial research into a viable methane vaccine started in 2007 through funding from the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium (PGgRc). The New Zealand agricultural sector has provided around $40 million for methane vaccine development to date.
Lucidome Bio, whose shareholders are AgriZeroNZ and the PGgRc, will take this research to the next stage with the ultimate objective of developing an option for farmers who want to make use of emission reducing tools.
Dan Brier, B+LNZ's General Manager for Farming Excellence, represents B+LNZ on the PGgRc and is on the board of Lucidome Bio, as the PGgRc representative.
His involvement in the project going forward is important to ensure that New Zealand farmers remain at the forefront of methane-reducing solutions.
A successful vaccine will trigger an animal's immune system to generate antibodies in saliva that suppress the growth and function of methane-producing microbes (methanogens) in the rumen, significantly reducing the quantity of the greenhouse gas it burps out.
Part of the requirement of Lucidome Bio is that if it successfully develops a methane vaccine then it will be made available to New Zealand farmers, subject of course to regulatory approvals.
“This is important”, says Brier.
“There is a bit of a global race to find a methane vaccine, with a significant global demand. If the vaccine is developed in another country, we would not be able to guarantee New Zealand would be a priority customer since we are a relatively small market.
“The worst-case scenario would be for other producers worldwide to have methane-reducing tools while we are left behind.”
Brier highlights that the progress in developing a methane vaccine to date in New Zealand is the result of decades of collaboration between the agricultural sector, scientists, and the government.
“I am really excited to see the money that has been invested by agriculture successfully moving into the next stage of commercial development.”
“Agriculture’s investment in this research over the last 15 years has gotten us to this critical milestone towards commercial development, but with commercial organisations now entering this space there is no longer a need for us to provide industry funding.
B+LNZ will keep farmers updated on progress made towards a viable methane vaccine as the research progresses.
More information
Find out more about Lucidome Bio.