Addressing significant challenges often requires fresh perspectives. This is particularly evident in the environmental impact of methane emissions from cattle. For years, efforts to mitigate the release of this greenhouse gas from cow burps have not achieved significant results, largely because solutions have been approached from the viewpoint of climate scientists rather than farmers.
Kathryn Polkoff, co-founder and CEO of Hoofprint Biome, approaches the issue with a farmer’s mindset. Her background includes a PhD in animal science, where the focus was on animal health and productivity rather than climate change. This unique perspective led her and co-founder Scott Collins to develop an innovative method to alter cows’ microbiomes using enzymes that reduce methane emissions while enhancing the nutritional content available to the animals.
Hoofprint Biome recently secured $15 million in a Series A funding round, led by SOSV and supported by various investors, including Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and Good Growth Capital. The funding will be directed towards testing their enzyme-based solutions on farms.
The premise behind Hoofprint’s approach is likened to the idea of optimising an engine in a car. Over centuries, efforts have primarily focused on breeding more efficient cattle, neglecting the potential of modifying their microbiomes. This new feed additive specifically targets the microbiome in the rumen—the first stomach compartment in cows—by inhibiting the microbes responsible for methane production.
The rumen is a complex ecosystem where cows struggle to break down fibrous food sources, and certain microbes therein not only consume nutrients but also produce methane as a byproduct. The enzyme developed by Hoofprint aims to suppress these detrimental microbes. It is created using yeast, akin to producing various industrial enzymes found in cheese-making or detergents.
According to Po Bronson, a general partner at SOSV who led the investment, the natural derivation of Hoofprint’s enzyme is a vital aspect, as it provides a distinct advantage over previous methane-reducing products, which faced public scrutiny due to concerns over their artificial nature.
Polkoff believes Hoofprint’s strategy could lead to a 5% improvement in feed efficiency, meaning cows would gain more weight for the same amount of feed. Bronson concurs, suggesting that by enhancing the productivity of the rumen, farmers may be more inclined to adopt Hoofprint’s solution, as it not only addresses methane emissions but also boosts livestock output, tying economic incentives to environmental benefits.
In conclusion, Hoofprint Biome presents a promising example of how rethinking age-old challenges through the lens of agricultural science can yield innovative solutions to pressing environmental concerns.
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