original danish archive
Several dairy cows are failing and producing less milk. And in some cases they are collapsing.
A controversial additive called Bovaer, which is to be mixed into the cows' feed, is suspected of being the cause of the problems.
Several farmers say this, writes Jyllands-Posten on Friday.
Since October 1, farmers have started mixing the legally required additive into the cows' feed.
The aim is to reduce the cows' emissions of the greenhouse gas methane, and Bovaer has previously been thoroughly tested over several years.
Yet something seems to have gone wrong in the rollout.
- We have so many people calling us and are unhappy about what is happening in their herds, says Kjartan Poulsen, chairman of the National Association of Danish Milk Producers, to TV 2.
The organization has now initiated an investigation into the matter, he informs.
Assessed safe by the EU
The substance Bovaer is manufactured by the Dutch company DSM and was approved by the EU Commission for use in cattle feed in 2022.
The approval is based on studies from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which concluded that Bovaer does not pose any risk to the health of either dairy cows or breeding cows, consumer safety or the environment.
In several cases, farmers have tried to remove the substance from the cows' feed and have experienced that the animals recovered, writes Jyllands-Posten. When they later tried to reintroduce the substance, the problems returned.
Kjartan Poulsen finds it "strange" and asks farmers to report when cows are unwell under suspicion of Bovaer.
- We have to acknowledge that there are also some who feed it without problems, so we have to find out what is really happening, adds the chairman.
The problems return upon reintroduction
The cows' unwellness has led to lower milk yield.
Some of the collapsed animals have been treated and have survived, while others have had to be euthanized.
What is the milk producers' pain threshold for how many animals will be unwell by having feed containing Bovaer added?
- There is none. That is not the idea behind it. This is supposed to have a climate effect – and if cows die from this, or if they produce less milk, then the effect is negative, says Kjartan Poulsen.
According to the chairman, the next step will be to get farmers to sign a declaration of faith and oath stating that they will stop using Bovaer if the animals become ill – in accordance with current animal welfare regulations.
At the same time, Kjartan Poulsen calls on Minister of Agriculture Jacob Jensen (V) for a "timeout" so that the industry can delve deeper into the matter.
Agency is following the case
The Danish Food Agency states in a written response to TV 2 that it is aware that some farmers have reported challenges in their herds after using Bovaer.
In this connection, the agency has asked Aarhus University to collect practice data from feeding with Bovaer.
- In this way, we can uncover whether there is a connection between the challenges experienced and feeding with Bovaer, the written response states.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration further states that they expect to be informed about the preliminary results of Aarhus University's work "as soon as possible" after the turn of the year 2025-26.
Several dairy cows are failing and producing less milk. And in some cases they are collapsing.
A controversial additive called Bovaer, which is to be mixed into the cows' feed, is suspected of being the cause of the problems.
Several farmers say this, writes Jyllands-Posten on Friday.
Since October 1, farmers have started mixing the legally required additive into the cows' feed.
The aim is to reduce the cows' emissions of the greenhouse gas methane, and Bovaer has previously been thoroughly tested over several years.
Yet something seems to have gone wrong in the rollout.
- We have so many people calling us and are unhappy about what is happening in their herds, says Kjartan Poulsen, chairman of the National Association of Danish Milk Producers, to TV 2.
The organization has now initiated an investigation into the matter, he informs.
Assessed safe by the EU
The substance Bovaer is manufactured by the Dutch company DSM and was approved by the EU Commission for use in cattle feed in 2022.
The approval is based on studies from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which concluded that Bovaer does not pose any risk to the health of either dairy cows or breeding cows, consumer safety or the environment.
In several cases, farmers have tried to remove the substance from the cows' feed and have experienced that the animals recovered, writes Jyllands-Posten. When they later tried to reintroduce the substance, the problems returned.
Kjartan Poulsen finds it "strange" and asks farmers to report when cows are unwell under suspicion of Bovaer.
- We have to acknowledge that there are also some who feed it without problems, so we have to find out what is really happening, adds the chairman.
The problems return upon reintroduction
The cows' unwellness has led to lower milk yield.
Some of the collapsed animals have been treated and have survived, while others have had to be euthanized.
What is the milk producers' pain threshold for how many animals will be unwell by having feed containing Bovaer added?
- There is none. That is not the idea behind it. This is supposed to have a climate effect – and if cows die from this, or if they produce less milk, then the effect is negative, says Kjartan Poulsen.
According to the chairman, the next step will be to get farmers to sign a declaration of faith and oath stating that they will stop using Bovaer if the animals become ill – in accordance with current animal welfare regulations.
At the same time, Kjartan Poulsen calls on Minister of Agriculture Jacob Jensen (V) for a "timeout" so that the industry can delve deeper into the matter.
Agency is following the case
The Danish Food Agency states in a written response to TV 2 that it is aware that some farmers have reported challenges in their herds after using Bovaer.
In this connection, the agency has asked Aarhus University to collect practice data from feeding with Bovaer.
- In this way, we can uncover whether there is a connection between the challenges experienced and feeding with Bovaer, the written response states.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration further states that they expect to be informed about the preliminary results of Aarhus University's work "as soon as possible" after the turn of the year 2025-26.
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