After I wrote my article worrying about the drug to reduce farting in cows, some friends who run a kiwifruit and avocado business wrote:
We have been using Zest Biotech products in our orchard, and they also have a product specifically for dairy and sheep/beef farming called Biozest, which reduces methane production in ruminants by approximately 30%. From what I've read in your blog Gary, the same rate as Bovaer! The owner of Zest Biotech is Nathan Baslington, and we’ve come to know him well. We know a dairy farmer that is in his first season of using Biozest and he couldn’t believe how quickly it worked for him. His cows sat down after 2-3 hours grazing, his milk protein content went up, cell count down, and a lot more grass without applying any urea. Nathan has tried to get his products recognised by the government, but he said it’s very difficult. Nathan has won an international award for his Zest Biotech products. We’ve used Primazest and Agrizest in our orchard for 6-7 years now with great results. Other growers call it snake oil! We don’t use Copper sprays while the plants are in leaf. The copper can over the years eventually contaminate the soil.
They referred me to the following article:
By Usha Amaranathan and Nathan Balasingham.
And this website here:
I have done my research and here is my best attempt to explain what New Zealand Biozest is, how it works, its benefits, and the interesting connection with blackcurrant.
By the way, if it is truly as beneficial as my friends claim, with no drawbacks for the health of plants, animals, and humans, why hasn't it received more attention? This starkly contrasts with the hype and hoopla surrounding Bovaea, a new drug for cows, which comes with numerous serious concerns and uncertainties. Could the difference be because one is a patented drug and the other is a healthy natural ingredient that can only be trademarked? Consider the financial motivations for Big Chemical and Genetic Engineering in food production.
Please read this article:
Research and user testimonials support Biozest's use for improving health and performance. I have made use of Nathan Balasingham's presentation to growers for this article. Biozest is not snake oil — we might be better off reserving that label for drugs like Bovaea.
Please read what follows and make up your own mind. I am about to conduct my own trials of this product by purchasing some for my greenhouse. I will let you know of my results and conclusions in 3-4 months.
An Explanation of the Science for Non-Scientists
Scientists have shown that a special plant process, called the phenylpropanoid pathway, makes nutrients that help plants grow, repair themselves, and defend against threats.
One group of these nutrients, called flavonoids, give fruits and vegetables their unique flavours.
The first important ingredient in this process, cinnamic acid, not only adds flavour but also helps make salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a plant hormone that helps the plant's immune system through a process called Systemic Acquired Resistance.
Red wine contains phenolics, like stilbenes, which are known for their health benefits.
Phenolic alcohols help create the scents in fruits, wine, and perfumes that attract bees for pollination or predators for protection.
Isoflavonoids help plants fight pests and diseases, improve soil quality, and work with microbes to get important nutrients.
Flavones are vital for communication between plants and microbes, especially for processes like nitrogen fixing, which helps plants grow.
Anthocyanins give flowers, fruits, and leaves their bright colours. They also guide cells during growth and development.
Proanthocyanidins help repair damaged plant cells.
Tannins protect plants by killing harmful microbes.
Some phenols create lignin and suberin, which make plant cell walls stronger, protect against damage, and give apples their crunch.
Together, these phenols act as bioactive molecules that support plant growth, repair systems, and natural defences.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in improving the quality of pastures for livestock while also making farming practices more sustainable. One exciting development is the use of a special plant spray called Biozest, which helps pastures grow better by boosting natural compounds called phenylpropanoids. These compounds help plants fight stress and grow stronger, leading to healthier, higher-quality grass. This is not only good for the plants but also benefits the animals that graze on them, like cows and sheep.
The results of using Biozest have been remarkable. In field tests, pastures treated with Biozest showed a 75 percent increase in growth, were more resilient to tough weather, and contained 18 percent more sugar. This means that cows and sheep can get more energy from the grass they eat, which helps them produce more milk and meat.
Additionally, Biozest helps reduce methane emissions in ruminants. Methane is a greenhouse gas that cows and sheep release when they digest grass. By improving the digestibility of the grass, Biozest helps the animals produce less methane.
What's more, Biozest provides an environmentally friendly alternative to biotech drugs such as Bovaea, which is used to reduce methane production in ruminants. Bovaea and similar drugs can help reduce methane, but they have big health and safety concerns, that are especially concerning as the use of such novel biotechnologies are upscaled. They can cause drug resistance and possibly damage the animals' immune systems. Biozest, on the other hand, works naturally with plants and animals, enhancing productivity and sustainability without these safety issues, making it a safer, greener choice for growers.
The Healthy Connection with Blackcurrant
Interestingly, humans can also benefit from phenylpropanoids, as these compounds are present in many plants we consume. Blackcurrants are one of the richest natural sources of phenylpropanoids, making them a powerful addition to our diet. They contain anthocyanins, quercetin, and phenolic acids, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds can help support immune function, improve cardiovascular health, and protect against oxidative stress. In fact, blackcurrants are also an excellent source of vitamin C and quercetin, both of which work together to boost health and fight inflammation. Additionally, these berries are relatively low in sugar. You can buy top-quality freeze-dried blackcurrant powder here (store it in a glass jar once opened), and I have added it to my Super Smoothie here.
Conclusions About Biozest
So, in conclusion, the evidence, as I read it, supports using Biozest in agriculture to help farmers grow better pastures, improve livestock productivity, and reduce methane emissions.
As with so many areas of drug-based therapies, we must proceed with extreme caution, especially when it comes to insufficiently safety-tested novel medicines that are developed for profit. It always makes sense to defer first to Mother Nature herself for remedies. After all, food is the first and the most enduring medicine.
Meanwhile, blackcurrants, as a rich source of phenylpropanoids, and vitamin C, provide humans with a nutritious way to support overall health.
These amazing discoveries show how natural plant compounds can be used to make a better future. This can be done through healthier food for animals or better nutrition for humans.
Biozest is a good choice for the environment and for animals — and ultimately for humans. It is safer than biotech drugs that could be dangerous, but it is better for the planet and human health.
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