betterfeed
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Dr. Tom Williams and the price of a cow’s burp
Raised in New Zealand’s dairy country, the synthetic biologist co-founded Number 8 Bio to turn lost feed energy into a reason for farmers to cut methane. His route from yeast research to grazing trials has required a willingness to change the science without losing sight of the farm.
Number 8 Bio
Number 8 Bio is a Sydney-based agtech and climate startup building BetterFeed, a low-cost feed additive and slow-release rumen bolus that cuts enteric methane from cattle and sheep by up to 90% in trials while recapturing wasted feed energy to lift animal productivity. After pivoting from yeast biomanufacturing to synthetic-chemistry small molecules, the company targets grass-fed grazing systems - about 95% of Australia's livestock - and has raised roughly A$18 million to move toward commercial release.