At Mason’s Meats, we believe in keeping things simple and natural. That’s why our beef jerky is made with just two ingredients: grass-fed beef and salt.

But what about the cows themselves? Should they be fed additives like Bovaer (3-nitrooxypropanol) to reduce methane emissions? In other words, should farmers give cows something like Bovaer, an additive that reduces methane—a gas from their digestion that contributes to global warming—to make farming more eco-friendly?

The short answer: no.

Nature’s Design

Cows are incredible animals designed by nature to graze and thrive on pasture. Methane production is a natural byproduct of their digestion—a system that has worked perfectly for millennia. Adding synthetic chemicals like Bovaer to alter this process might reduce emissions, but it comes at a cost.

Unanswered Questions About Additives

Here’s the truth: there are no long-term studies on how this additive affects the health of the cows or the humans who consume their milk and beef.

• What happens to the cow’s natural digestive system over time?

• Could residues or byproducts impact us down the line?

No one really knows yet, and that’s a risk we’re not willing to take.

At the moment in the UK, Bovaer isn't being added to the feed of herds that are being used for meat AND its confined to certain non-organic dairy herds whose milk ends up in specific brands that appear on the supermarket shelves. Worth noting that it's quite impractical to add it in practice to animals "feed" that are out grazing the pasture!

The Real Problem: Industrial Farming

This is another example of a “quick fix” to a problem created by industrial farming, not by the cows themselves. Instead of relying on unproven additives, we should focus on natural solutions:

• Regenerative grazing that rebuilds soil and sequesters carbon.

• Diverse pastures with plants that naturally reduce methane.

• Respecting the cow’s role as part of a balanced ecosystem.

Our Commitment to Real, Natural, and Sustainable Practices

At Mason’s Meats, we’re not here for shortcuts. We believe in respecting nature and providing the highest-quality, clean beef snacks. Supporting practices that keep cows healthy and systems natural isn’t just better for the environment—it’s better for us all.

If you're a fan of dairy, we suggest finding your local farmer, asking them about their farming practices, and buying your milk, butter, cream etc directly from them. Farmers markets are a great way to do this too - and many organic farmers will also ship their products to you at home. 

Let’s stick to what’s real, natural, and sustainable—for the cows, for the planet, and for the people who enjoy their milk and meat.

Building the Future on Nature, Not Chemicals

The future should be built on nature, not chemicals. By choosing products and practices that respect the natural balance, we can create a healthier, more sustainable world.