smaXtec cuts methane emissions by up to 15 %
- Management
- Health
smaXtec’s bolus technology supports herd health, lowers emissions and saves resources, research shows.
New research conducted in collaboration between smaXtec and the Austrian Agricultural Research and Education Center (AREC) Raumberg-Gumpenstein indicates that smaXtec’s state-of-the-art bolus technology can help reduce methane emissions per unit (kg) of milk by up to 15%.
Healthier cows produce less methane
The emissions reduction calculation is based on the recognised standards of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations, using research-supported benefits of the advanced health system for improving animal health.
“Our calculations are based on the IPCC Guidelines and our own respiration experiments and have shown that animals with a longer useful life emit less methane per kilogram of milk at typical breed performance. Early detection of disease and proactive health management can reduce animal losses, effectively reducing methane emissions in the dairy industry.”
Dr. Thomas Guggenberger, Head of Institute of Livestock Research, AREC Raumberg-Gumpenstein
According to a study done by the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) Center at UC Davis, sick cows produce less milk and more emissions1. Further, severe cases of diseases like mastitis require antibiotic use for treatment, resulting in discarded milk – and wasted resources – during the required withdrawal period.
“The smaXtec system is proven to accurately detect diseases like mastitis before clinical symptoms occur. This enables farmers to intervene sooner with milder treatment protocols, such as home remedies or mild anti-inflammatories, before the disease course becomes more severe.”
Stefan Scherer, CEO strategy & sales smaXtec
Improved disease management and early intervention not only help lower the emissions intensity of each unit of milk produced, but also supports overall animal welfare and lifetime productivity of the cow.
smaXtec customers are experiencing these disease prevention benefits first-hand on their farms:
“The biggest benefit to having the smaXtec system is that we are catching sick cows and problem cows much earlier than we did in the past.”
Dan Lauderdale, Wisconsin, US
“It has been much easier to deal with cows having a tough transition after freshening by getting ahead of the symptoms and being able to use more natural remedies for things instead of antibiotics.”
Sheldon Luehmann, Minnesota, US
“In terms of the amount of antibiotic we use in it, it’s dramatically decreased, which is obviously a good thing. I would say overall, my cows are healthier.”
Jon Cleave, GB
With its products and services for dairy farms of all sizes, smaXtec is making an active contribution to achieving at least 5 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals developed by the United Nations. Only proactive – rather than reactive – management approaches on dairy farms globally will help achieve these goals, which is a key priority for smaXtec.
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