06 August 2024 Methane-blocking extract from daffodils to be trialled at Lincoln

Welsh research company Agroceutical Products discovered a naturally occurring compound from daffodils, haemanthamine, may be effective in reducing methane production in cattle after conducting lab trials.

AgriZeroNZ is partnering with Lincoln University, where the botanical methane-blocker will be trialled on cattle from February 2025.

If the trials prove successful, haemanthamine will be developed as a new emissions-cutting tool for Kiwi farmers.

AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne McNee says the early-stage investment presents an exciting opportunity to bring the pioneering research to New Zealand, which has the ideal conditions for growing daffodils.

“It’s been widely acknowledged that a technology-led approach is the best way to support farmers to reduce emissions without comprising on profitability.

“We’re scanning the world for cutting-edge tools that could work on New Zealand farms and we’re excited to leverage the knowledge and expertise of Agroceutical Products for the benefit of Kiwi farmers.”

Following lab trials conducted on artificial rumens, it’s estimated the daffodil compound could reduce livestock methane emissions by 30 per cent when consumed as a feed additive.

McNee says further development could see the compound being administered via a slow-release bolus within the rumen, which would make the tool accessible to a wider range of ruminant animals including sheep, deer and goats.

Daffodils: not just a pretty face

Agroceutical Products is known for its groundbreaking work extracting naturally occurring compounds from daffodils grown in Welsh mountains, most notably galanthamine, which is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Potential revenue stream for sheep farmers

In order to produce compounds like haemanthamine and galanthamine, daffodils need to be grown in challenging, high-altitude environments, like the Black Mountains in Wales.

Given the limitations of the daffodil growing season in the UK, Agroceutical Products has investigated growing locations in the Southern Hemisphere to provide a year-round supply.

“New Zealand’s rugged hill country provides the prime growing conditions needed for daffodils to produce the compounds we’re looking for,” says Kevin Stephens - Agroceutical Products managing director and founder.

Most recently, Stephens was involved in a trial which found daffodils grown on South Island sheep farms produced commercial concentrations of galanthamine.

Stephens, himself a sheep and beef farmer, initially started growing daffodils on his hill country land to diversify the farm’s income. He says he’s pleased to bring that same opportunity to New Zealand farmers.

“Daffodils are easily integrated into sheep farming systems as sheep don’t eat the plants, and simply graze around them.

“The daffodil bulbs can be planted directly into pasture and then harvested for extraction with no significant capital expenditure or damage to surrounding pasture.”

Read the full story on AgriZeroNZ's website here.

Daffodils can be easily integrated into sheep farming systems