Sustainable Business and Finance: AgriZeroNZ backs Canterbury start-up Amua with $1.2m for cow emissions device

Work by Canterbury startup Amua on a device for cows could reduce nitrous oxide emissions by up to 95% and nitrate leaching by 93%. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A new $1.2 million investment in development of a wearable device for cows that could sharply reduce emissions and nitrate leaching is the 16th climate action project by Government-agribusiness partnership AgriZeroNZ.

The investment supports further work by Canterbury start-up Amua on the device for cows that could reduce nitrous oxide emissions by up to 95% and nitrate leaching by 93%.

It is AgriZeroNZ’s first equity investment in nitrous oxide mitigation.

The small, lightweight Amua device spreads a cow’s urine so it can be used as a fertiliser, allowing nitrogen to be better absorbed by pasture to lift grass growth and lower fertiliser use.

Established in early 2023 to accelerate the development of emissions tools for farmers that support the Government’s goal of doubling export value in 10 years, AgriZeroNZ has committed funding of $191m until next year.

A world-first public-private partnership focused on helping farmers reduce emissions without compromising their profitability and productivity, the organisation aims to ensure all farmers in New Zealand have equitable access to affordable, effective solutions to reduce biogenic methane and nitrous oxide emissions, with a goal of supporting a 30% reduction by 2030 and driving towards “near zero” by 2040.

Primary industry and agribusiness partners include ANZ, ASB and BNZ banks, Rabobank, Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms, Fonterra, Anzco and Synlait.

In its latest update, the organisation says $71.1m is now committed across 16 ventures and research projects, including the new Amua company investment.

Investment projects to date include Nbryo, an Australian company developing specialised reproductive technologies to help farmers breed more emissions-efficient livestock faster; ArkeaBio, a US company developing a vaccine to reduce livestock methane emissions; and a New Zealand methane inhibitors programme, which aims to deliver a methane-reducing compound to animals on pasture-based farms via feed additive or bolus.

AgriZeroNZ says it has 42 other opportunities on its radar in pursuit of its aims.