The $12-million Challenge, launched in November 2023 in partnership with Impact Canada, uses a staged approach to move innovators through the process of developing and deploying their solutions in the cow-calf, dairy and feedlot sectors. The first stage of the Challenge attracted 86 applications from innovators across Canada and internationally. The 13 semi-finalists' entries span a diverse range of areas including feed additives and related technologies; production efficiencies and animal management systems; and pasture and grazing management approaches.
Each semi-finalist will receive up to $153,846 and move on to the prototype development stage of the Challenge. Over the next eight months, semi-finalists will continue to advance their solution and may be eligible to receive additional funding of up to $230,000. From the 13 semi-finalists, a total of up to 10 finalists will be selected in Spring 2026. Each eligible finalist will receive up to $500,000 to assist with testing their solution's effectiveness in reducing enteric methane emissions. In the final stage of the Challenge, finalists will compete to win one of two grand prizes of up to $1 million, to be announced at the end of 2028.
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay says the Agricultural Methane Reduction Challenge is bringing together innovators from right across the country who have new ideas about how to reduce agricultural methane emissions.
"I would like to congratulate all of the semi-finalists and wish them luck as they compete in the next phase of the Challenge."
Entries under the Challenge were evaluated against established criteria, including net reduction in enteric methane emissions, innovation, scalability, economic viability, commercialization and/or adoption, environmental co-benefits, and social assessment.
Projects and final funding are subject to negotiation of a contribution agreement.
For the list of the Challenge semi-finalists, please visit the Agricultural Methane Reduction Challenge website.
Source : Pembinavalley online