Nine To Noon Manufactured feed to cut livestock methane
Nov 16, 2025
Dr. Tom Williams, a Waikato-born microbiologist and CEO of Number 8 Bio, discusses his company's revolutionary feed additive designed to cut livestock methane emissions by as much as 90%. He explains how the organic small molecule targets rumen microbes, turning methane into metabolic energy and improving animal productivity. Tom shares insights on the research journey, regulatory challenges for market entry, and the innovative bolus formulation that enables controlled release of the supplement for grass-fed livestock.
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Methane Blockage Frees Nutritional Energy
- Number 8 Bio's ingredient blocks rumen microbes that produce methane, redirecting energy to beneficial microbes.
- That reclaimed energy can boost growth and milk while cutting greenhouse gas emissions substantially.
Dual Climate And Productivity Win
- Enteric methane is both a potent short-lived greenhouse gas and wasted animal energy, making it a high-impact mitigation target.
- Cutting methane yields climate benefits and improves feed efficiency for farmers simultaneously.
From 5,000 Screens To One Molecule
- The team screened ~5,000 candidates in a miniaturised rumen system and narrowed to an organic chemical that performed best in live-animal studies.
- They tested across beef, dairy, and sheep over 18 months before selecting the active ingredient.