“I’m yet to meet a grazier that doesn’t want a 5-15% feed conversation ratio improvement.” says Tom Williams, CEO of Number 8 Bio.

Producers motivated by not losing 10% of their feed to the atmosphere.

Enteric methane from livestock represents one of the rare climate challenges where environmental impact aligns with economic opportunity. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and it also represents wasted nutrition. Approximately 10% of feed energy consumed by ruminants escapes as methane rather than supporting growth or milk production. Few climate solutions offer both emissions reduction and immediate productivity gains for those implementing them.

But here's the challenge: the rumen contains billions of microorganisms competing, collaborating, and interacting across complex metabolic pathways. Human knowledge of this biological complexity remains incomplete. Finding molecules that reduce methane without compromising animal health or performance requires casting an extraordinarily wide net.

Today we are joined by Tom Williams, founder and CEO of Number 8 Bio, a synthetic biology company developing feed additives to reduce enteric methane emissions.

Number 8 Bio's journey demonstrates rapid adaptation to scientific reality. Initially engineering yeast to produce bromoform and seaweed molecules, the team quickly recognized cost barriers for feed additive markets. They pivoted entirely, developing an automated in vitro rumen screening system processing approximately 100 tests weekly. Over several years, they screened thousands of potential products—peptides, enzymes, probiotics, natural extracts, small molecules, and combinations—seeking winners through systematic trial rather than theoretical prediction.

The company now focuses on a single organic molecule showing methane reductions and productivity improvements in grazing systems. Initial feedlot trials revealed hydrogen buildup and intake reductions, so Williams followed the science toward pasture-based applications first. The discovery platform—now enhanced with bioreactors predicting live animal productivity outcomes—positions Number 8 Bio to develop additional molecules for different markets and stacking strategies as regulatory pathways allow.

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