Your questions answered: Bovaer, feed additives, and our cows
We’ve had a number of questions recently about feed additives used in dairy farming, including a product called Bovaer. We wanted to share a clear, factual update and explain our approach to feeding our cows here at Mawley Milk.
We believe customers deserve transparency about how their food is produced, and we’re always happy to explain what we do – and what we don’t do – on our family farm.
What is Bovaer?
Bovaer is the brand name for a methane-reducing feed additive that has been trialled on a small number of dairy farms in the UK. Its active ingredient is designed to reduce methane produced during digestion in cows.
In the UK, Bovaer has been trialled on around 30 dairy farms as part of research into reducing agricultural emissions. These trials have now ended and are under review.
Is Bovaer approved for use in the UK?
Yes. Bovaer is approved for use by UK regulators, who have assessed it as safe for cows and for consumers when used as directed. Regulatory assessments state that Bovaer does not pass into milk.
However, approval does not mean compulsory use.
There is no requirement for UK dairy farmers to use Bovaer, and there has been no announcement of a mandatory or widespread rollout across UK dairy herds.
The decision to use any feed additive remains entirely voluntary, based on individual farm systems and business choices.
Do Mawley Milk cows receive Bovaer or feed additives?
No. We do not use Bovaer or any similar methane-reducing feed additives — and we never have.
Our approach to feeding has always been based on:
forage-based diets
balanced rations without specialist feed additives
cow health, comfort, and welfare
careful day-to-day management
We believe good farming starts with healthy cows and straightforward feeding, rather than relying on additives.
Our approach to feed choices at Mawley Milk
Like all farmers, we stay informed about developments within the dairy industry. However, our priority has always been:
the health and welfare of our cows
transparency in how we produce our milk
the trust of our customers
We do not use Bovaer or methane reducing feed additives and have no plans to do so. Our feeding approach is based on the health and welfare of our cows, transparency in how we produce our milk and the trust of our customers.
If anything about how we feed our cows were ever to change, we would communicate that clearly and openly.
Why we’re sharing this information
There has been a lot of discussion online about feed additives and dairy farming. We want to provide a clear, factual explanation so customers can feel confident in how their milk is produced.
If you ever have questions about our farming practices, we’re always happy to answer them.
Thank you for supporting Mawley Milk and our family farm.
