Fifty years ago, the Economist Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman wrote an article in the New York Times Magazine in which he stated that organizations cannot have “social responsibility”; only individuals can.  The role of a private corporation is to maximize shareholder value while acting ethically and within legal constraints.

Today, business leaders increasingly have a larger viewpoint of their responsibilities, referring to “stakeholders”, which includes customers, suppliers, employees and communities in which they operate.  On occasion, the sometimes disparate goals overlap, and a company can do good while also serving shareholder interests.  The use of Agolin as a natural feed additive represents one such example.

Livestock represent a significant contributor to greenhouse gases, at 14.5% of global emissions (2/3 from cattle).  With the U.S. representing the world’s largest beef consumer, American cattle herds’ burping and flatulence represent a big share of pollution.

Agolin is a natural feed additive that inhibits animal gas and may increase production.  Already demonstrated with growing use in Europe, American farmers are just starting to experiment with the new feed as new competitors enter a market poised to reach $1 – 2+ billion by 2030 (or faster by other estimates). Continue reading →