Envelix™ Prime First Product Using Next Generation Biological Platform Technology

DPH Biologicals, a leading developer and supplier of agricultural biologicals, has launched Envelix^TM Prime, a patented, biological nutrient enhancer designed to uniformly cover bulk dry fertilizer, delivering a robust biological consortium paired with fertilizer in a single application.

“Envelix Prime enables both retailers and growers to seamlessly unlock the value of biologicals on a broader scale,” said Mick Messman, DPH Bio President & CEO. “Just one pound of Envelix Prime evenly covers a ton of dry fertilizer, giving retailers a way to differentiate their fertilizer blends with biology while giving growers a single-purchase, single application route to enhanced performance and an increased return on their fertilizer investment.”

Envelix Prime contains naturally occurring beneficial bacterial and fungal microorganisms designed to accelerate and maximize fertility release using a patented carrier to adhere microorganisms to the fertilizer prill. In a tissue sample taken from a 2023 corn trial at the V3 leaf stage, Envelix Prime increased nutrient uptake of several macro and micronutrients when applied to MESZ fertilizer, including:

• An 18% increase in phosphorus.
• A 10% increase in sulfur.
• A 9% increase in boron.
• An 8% increase in copper.

Envelix Prime is DPH Bio’s first product to be powered by Prime™, a one-of-a-kind, patented spore priming technology that germinates beneficial bacteria faster, and in harsher conditions, enabling more consistent biological performance. In a recent corn trial, Prime enabled more than 70% of spores to germinate at temperatures as high as 98.6 degrees, while those without Prime germinated less than 10%. Additionally, nearly all spores with Prime germinated in high salt environments, while those that were not treated with Prime did not germinate.

Envelix Prime mixes seamlessly with MAP, DAP & Urea, offering improved flowability and less bridging at application.

“We are excited to get Envelix Prime out on the broad acre this fall enabling many growers the opportunity to experience the benefits of biologicals for the first time. This integrated approach requires no change in practice for the grower and, with the addition of Prime, we are confident that growers will consistently see the benefits this dynamic product unlocks both in the field and to their bottom line,” said Messman.

Envelix Prime is available now to retail partners and fertilizer blending facilities. For more information about DPH Bio’s technology platforms – RegenAphex™ and Prime, as well as DPH Bio’s expanded product portfolio, visit www.dphbio.com.

Prime Improves Consistency, Durability and Potency of Biologicals

DPH Biologicals, a leading developer and supplier of agricultural biologicals, announced its new Prime platform that uses a patented production process for Bacillus spp., a leading plant growth rhizobacterium, to accelerate the germination of bacteria spores, supporting overall plant development while providing crops with more consistent resilience against heat, drought, and alkaline and saline soil conditions.

“Historically biologicals have been dinged for inconsistent performance when used in a variety of environmental conditions. By utilizing a unique manufacturing process, we’ve enabled Bacillus spores to germinate faster resulting in more consistent performance especially in stressful conditions. Ultimately, Prime gives channel partners and growers more confidence in biologicals and allows them to differentiate from the plethora of microbial-based products on the market,” said Mick Messman, DPH Bio President and CEO.

Kept in a dry, dormant state to germinate quicker, Prime spores colonize the root zone faster, capturing nitrogen while solubilizing potassium and phosphorus for more effective nutrient uptake. In a lab trial, Prime enabled more than 70% of Bacillus spores to germinate at temperatures as high as 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, while those without Prime germinated less than 10% after 50 minutes. Additionally, nearly all spores with Prime germinated in high salt environments, while those that were not treated with Prime did not germinate.

With exclusive rights, DPH Bio is the first to offer Prime-based products and has recently integrated Prime into several existing biofertilizers in its TerraTrove™ product line, including Envelix Prime available this fall and Essential™ Prime PAK available for the 2025 crop season.

“We are excited to see results coming through our science-based approach to support our channel partners and growers. Powered by Prime, the next generation of biologicals delivers higher quality sustainable options that consistently work,” said Messman.

For more information about DPH Bio’s technology platforms – RegenAphex™ and Prime, as well as DPH Bio’s expanded product portfolio, visit www.dphbio.com.

• Food and Drug Administration confirms Bovaer meets safety and efficacy requirements
• Elanco expects product launch and added carbon credit value to producers beginning in the third quarter
• Elanco announces agreement with dsm-firmenich to expand distribution of Bovaer across North America, adding both the Canada and Mexico markets

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its comprehensive, multi-year review of Bovaer® (3-NOP), a first-in-class methane-reducing feed ingredient, and determined the product meets safety and efficacy requirements for use in lactating dairy cattle.

“This monumental announcement has the ability to accelerate the opportunity for climate-neutral dairy farming while creating a new revenue stream for dairy farmers across the country,” said Jeff Simmons, President and CEO, Elanco Animal Health. “We appreciate FDA’s commitment to maintaining high standards for science-based review, while balancing the need to quickly bring solutions to the market. Bovaer represents another example of Elanco being a partner of choice in animal health, where the capabilities of our talented R&D, regulatory and commercial teams are delivering significant value.

Simmons continued: “As global temperatures breach new thresholds, consumers demand more sustainable products and the farm economy battles profitability challenges, we are excited to bring Bovaer to the market as a potential solution. Bovaer will create value for farmers, while helping food companies meet consumer demands and deliver on their sustainability commitments. As animal, human and now environmental health continue to converge, Bovaer is one of the most significant innovations that considers this intersection and provides consumers, farmers and society what they want for our future.”

Bovaer represents another blockbuster potential innovation in Elanco’s portfolio and further accelerates livestock sustainability, the next billion-dollar plus market in animal health. This innovation is expected to accelerate market development and increase innovation in this space.

Bovaer works by suppressing the enzyme in the cow’s rumen that forms methane. Feeding one tablespoon of Bovaer per lactating dairy cow per day can reduce methane emissions about 30% or about 1.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions annually, while creating opportunity for dairy farmers to be financially rewarded for reducing their dairy’s carbon footprint.¹ Feeding one million cows Bovaer would reduce emissions equivalent to removing more than 285,000 cars from the road for a year.² Feeding Bovaer to cattle has proven to be safe for animals, producers and consumers.

Expanding Access Across North America 

Elanco and dsm-firmenich have agreed to expand Elanco’s commercialization of Bovaer across North America. In addition to the U.S., Elanco will also now have the right to market Bovaer in Canada and Mexico, where the product is already available for use in beef and dairy cattle. This expanded agreement can accelerate the opportunity to make climate-neutral cattle farming in North America a reality this decade.

“We congratulate Elanco and the U.S. dairy sector, on this important milestone, and will support Elanco by providing initial supplies from Europe,” said Dimitri de Vreeze, CEO at dsm-firmenich. “This strategic collaboration exemplifies how we can accelerate the expansion and adoption of Bovaer in North America to significantly decrease methane emissions on a large scale, and thereby support global efforts to combat climate change. Bovaer holds the key to a transformative shift in the global dairy sector, and launching this feed ingredient in the U.S. after years of dedicated research, trials, and industry collaboration is a testament to its global potential.”

Simmons said, “We appreciate the work dsm-firmenich has invested in this revolutionary product and are pleased they’ve recognized Elanco as the global farm animal health leader and the right partner to bring this solution to farmers across North America.”

Why Methane Matters

This announcement comes at a pivotal time. According to the United Nations, the world’s population has until the year 2030 to curb greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) or deal with irreversible impacts to the planet.³ In response, about two-thirds of all Fortune 500 companies have set significant climate commitment goals.⁴ Reducing enteric methane emissions from cattle—naturally generated through the enteric fermentation process—represents a key opportunity. Methane lasts about a decade in the atmosphere and is 27x more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat—so smaller reductions create greater impact on temperature.⁵ By mitigating methane, the livestock industry can reduce the rate of climate warming and allow food companies and retailers to make meaningful progress toward their Scope 3 emissions goals.

“Reducing enteric methane is critical if we are to reach our climate goals,” said Dr. Frank Mitloehner, CLEAR Center Director and University California Davis Professor and Cooperative Extension Air Quality Specialist. “It’s exciting our farmers will have an important tool to do that, in Bovaer.”

Creating New Revenue Streams for Farmers

Feeding Bovaer to cows provides a scalable and credible way for dairy farmers to benefit from being good stewards of the environment by being financially rewarded for implementing on-farm sustainability interventions.

“At an added cost of a few cents a gallon of milk, Bovaer can help food companies meet their climate commitments and consumer desire for more sustainable dairy products,” said Katie Cook, Vice President, Livestock Sustainability and Farm Animal Marketing at Elanco. “Meanwhile, by engaging in voluntary carbon markets and securing USDA and state conservation programming, dairy producers have a scalable sustainability practice with the potential to create an annual return of $20 or more per lactating cow by feeding Bovaer⁶. Our goal is to make this opportunity a reality starting this summer, while creating a self-sustaining carbon inset market for American agriculture.”

Dairy farmers incorporate Bovaer into their rations and quantify the effect using carbon market-friendly tools like UpLook™ by Elanco, an insights-based engine designed to quantify greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The tool utilizes on-farm data and peer-reviewed science to identify key drivers of an operation’s carbon footprint and track the progress of sustainability efforts. UpLook connects seamlessly to Athian, the first-of-its-kind livestock carbon inset marketplace. This seamless process allows farmers to quantify their emissions reduction efforts and certify carbon credits for sale. In addition to the carbon marketplace, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $89 million in funding to support farms using technologies like Bovaer to reduce their methane emissions.⁷

“Products like Elanco’s Bovaer will allow U.S. farmers to be rewarded for participating in voluntary, producer-led sustainability efforts,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation. “Consumers around the world are demanding lower-carbon foods. Bovaer is an innovation that can help U.S. dairy farmers remain globally competitive and maintain their role as leaders in more sustainable dairy production.”

Greg Bethard, a dairy farmer from Kansas who has used UpLook to quantify his greenhouse gas emissions, expressed his excitement around today’s announcement.

“Dairy producers have made great strides improving the sustainability of our operations,” said Bethard, High Plains Ponderosa Dairy. “Today’s announcement provides access to a product that has been extensively studied and shown to reduce emissions from dairy cows. Bovaer is a value-creation opportunity for dairies—it’s about helping us provide product in a manner most of our consumers are wanting—a lower carbon footprint food.”