Page 23 - AWA Vol.41-No.4

DAIry FArMING

AgriZeroNZ boosts support for methane-cutting feed additive

I ndustry-government partnership bottom line” Dr. Kathryn Polkoff.
AgriZeroNZ is investing an additional
Polkoff says their approach is unique
US $5 million (approx. NZ $8.7M) in Hoof- because it’s based on nature’s own tools.
print Biome Inc., a US company develop-
ing natural enzymes and probiotics to “Enzymes and probiotics are digested
improve cattle health while significantly by the animal, leaving no milk or meat
reducing methane. residues. We think these products will
build on the strengths of Kiwi farm sys-
AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne tems in sustainability and efficiency.”
McNee says the follow-on investment
underscores the importance of natural, Hoofprint Biome Inc. is also working on
microbiome solutions in its $61 million a probiotic-based delivery method for
investment portfolio as part of its efforts its enzymes, which could reduce dosing
Dr. Kathryn Polkoff, Hoofprint Biome
to provide farmers with a range of afford- Inc. co-founder and CEO, says this boost frequency to weekly or even monthly,
making it a practical option for beef and
able, effective mitigation solutions. in funding will enable the company to dairy farmers who don’t feed supple-
“We invested in Hoofprint Biome Inc. fast track its product development, with ments daily.
at an early stage because we saw its po- animal trials in New Zealand planned for McNee says these types of microbiome
tential to develop a powerful emissions early next year. solutions are an important part of its ex-
reduction tool to help Kiwi farmers meet The enzyme blend, which would be panding investment portfolio, which also
market demands for lower emissions mixed into supplementary feed, aims to includes a methane-inhibiting bolus, vac-
products, with the added benefit of pro- reduce enteric methane emissions by cines, and low-emissions pasture.
ductivity gains. over 80 per cent while simultaneously
“We’re investing in a range of potential
“The team has since made a number of improving digestion to increase milk and mitigation solutions to give us the best
exciting technical breakthroughs and is meat yield by over 5 per cent. chance of providing farmers with options
aiming to launch its first product for dairy Animals would only need to be fed one so they can choose what’s best for their
cows in early 2027, subject to regulatory mouthful per day, making it easy to use farm.
approvals.” with in-shed or pasture-based supple-
“Getting these tools into farmers’ hands
The Series A funding round saw a host mentary feeding systems. is critical to help safeguard the future of
of global venture capital firms come on- Polkoff says the enzymes reduce meth- New Zealand’s primary sector and ex-
board including SOSV, Amazon Climate ane emissions in cattle by re-shaping the port economy,” says McNee.
Pledge Fund, Alexandria Venture Invest- rumen microbiome.
ments, and Bill Gates’ Breakthrough En- “These enzymes can prevent methane Hoofprint Biome Inc. is now AgriZ-
ergy Fellows. The round was led by SOSV from being released in the rumen while eroNZ’s largest investment to date, total-
with an increased company valuation, also increasing nutrient flows to the ani- ling US $7.5 million (approx. NZ $13M).
boosting AgriZeroNZ’s initial investment. mal. Other investors in Hoofprint Biome Inc.’s
“We’re pleased to see reputable VCs “Delivering a feed efficiency benefit funding round included existing seed in-
come on board and ultimately give the alongside a reduction in methane is real- vestors Good Growth Capital, Twynam,
team the best chance of bringing their ly important. To us, the word sustainabil- and Ponderosa Ventures.
product to market,” says McNee. ity includes what happens to a farmer’s Circle 27 on enquiry card

Redefining milking time

Waikato Milking Systems’ latest innovation
his state-of-the-art semi-robotic milk- ination between quarters and allows for
Ting technology promises to increase precise milk sampling from within each
milking speed, productivity and efficiency quarter to identify potential infections.
in the milking parlour.
The DairyHQ Parlour Management Sys-
“With ErgoPOD, our vision was a future tem enhances this process by delivering
where efficiency, safety, and animal well- real-time production data and live updates
being converge seamlessly,” Waikato Milk- on cow health and system performance,
ing Systems executive chair Jamie Mikkel- empowering farmers to make informed
son said.
and hygiene insights for cow health, Ergo- decisions with confidence.
“Our mission was to provide dairy farm- POD redefines milking standards.
ers with the technology to achieve unprec- Mr Mikkelson said the efficient design of
edented productivity and efficiency to milk ErgoPOD has advanced quarter-milking ErgoPOD is engineered to reduce energy
more cows, while prioritising the health technology, enabling early detection of and water usage, promoting greater envi-
and safety of both operators and cows.” health concerns for faster, targeted inter- ronmental stewardship.
He said from significantly reducing the vention at the individual animal level. Its seamless integration into both new
physical effort required during milking and ErgoPOD uses individual per quarter and existing rotary dairy installations en-
greatly enhancing safety for cows and op- milk lines rather than the traditional milk- sures operational efficiency and cost-ef-
erators, to delivering real-time milk quality ing cluster. This eliminates cross-contam- fectiveness. Circle 28 on enquiry card

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