Dairy farmers across regional Australia have hit back on social media following an announcement from Coles that it will support the use of a supplement in cattle to reduce methane emissions.

According to Coles, 3 beef suppliers will be using the supplement Bovaer, that can be added to cattle diets to reduce the production of methane by at least 50%, with the additive registered and legal for use in milking cows in Australia.

However, dairy farmers have argued that the use of the Bovaer additive could have a detrimental effect in the quality of its milk products which in turn may affect consumer consumption.

Meanwhile, most regional beef farmers have also declined the use of the Bovaer additive to their cattle, with some farmers maintaining cattle as grass-fed and finished with no synthetic additives is in keeping with consumers best interests.