Reports of dead cows and calves—yet the Bovaer mandate continues

Cows collapsing, milk production declining, and new reports of dead calves. Despite last year’s serious animal health problems, Denmark continues to require climate-controlled feeding from the country’s dairy farmers. Another Bovaer season is now beginning, while new reports of deaths are sparking strong criticism.

Danish Jyllands-Posten reported on Tuesday that the Bovaer season has begun again. Last fall, farmers raised the alarm about cows that fell ill and collapsed after being given the feed additive. Milk production dropped, and some animals became so sick that they had to be carried out of the barns.

Bovaer contains the synthetic substance 3-NOP, which inhibits methane production in cows’ stomachs. Danish dairy herds with more than 50 cows are subject to requirements for methane-reducing feed. For those who use Bovaer, the requirement is at least 80 days per year, as part of the government’s climate policy. All of this is due to climate alarmism and the fear that methane emissions are affecting the climate.

New reports of 20 dead calves

At the same time, new reports are emerging about dead calves that were fed milk from cows fed Bovaer. The Danish citizen journalist Kent Nielsen reports on a calf caretaker who lost 20 calves in less than three months. He specifically points to Bovaer’s breakdown product, NOPA.

”20 dead calves in less than three months—the Danish state media continues to remain silent!”, Nielsen writes in X. According to him, calves that were fed other types of milk did not experience the same problems. Two other calf caretakers reportedly observed similar incidents and reached the same conclusion: avoid milk from cows fed Bovaer.

Nielsen also leveled harsh criticism at the established Danish media, which he accuses of ignoring the reports for seven months. He points out that, at the same time, the media has devoted extensive attention to other animal welfare issues, while reports of sick and dead calves have been disseminated through independent media outlets.

The government is maintaining the Bovaer requirements

Following last year’s problems, the Danish government has been forced to expand the scope for exemptions. Farmers who have previously experienced symptoms of the disease may now exempt all or part of their herds if there is a risk that the problems will recur. However, the climate requirements for milk production remain in place.

Minister of Nature and Animal Protection Christian Rabjerg Madsen assures that ”the welfare of the cows comes first.” At the same time, the government’s decision means that many dairy farmers are still forced to use methane-reducing feed. For farmers who want to avoid Bovaer, the only options left are special exemptions or alternative feeding methods.

The EU is re-examining Bovaer

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is currently conducting a renewed safety assessment of Bovaer. The review follows last year’s reports of animal health issues and is expected to be completed by the end of November. Meanwhile, reports of affected herds continue to raise questions about the consequences of climate-controlled feeding.

Despite reports of cows collapsing and calves dying, Denmark has not, therefore, repealed the requirements. While the EU investigates the safety of these measures, farmers continue to be subject to regulations introduced to reduce methane emissions from cows.