Tom Williams - Number8

About the Guest
Tom Williams is the Founder and CEO of Number8 Bio, an Australian deep-tech company developing a novel way to cut methane emissions from cattle and sheep while improving livestock productivity. With a background as a senior lecturer and academic microbiologist at Macquarie University, Tom previously led a 17-person research team specialising in synthetic biology, genome engineering and industrial yeast systems. Growing up in New Zealand’s Waikato dairy region shaped his early understanding of methane’s environmental challenge, and his scientific expertise positioned him uniquely to tackle it. Today, he’s applying biotechnology, high-throughput screening and animal-scale trials to build a scalable, commercially viable climate solution for global agriculture.
Episode Summary
In this episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner dives into the surprisingly complex world of livestock emissions with Tom Williams from Number8 Bio. While methane from cows is often oversimplified as just “cow farts”, Tom breaks down the microbiology behind the problem — and how tackling methane is also a major opportunity to unlock animal productivity and farm profitability. The conversation unpacks how ruminants work as “walking fermentation tanks”, why methane represents wasted energy, and how Number8 Bio is designing solutions that improve both climate outcomes and farm economics.
Tom traces the journey from his academic research in synthetic biology to founding Number8 Bio, including an early pivot away from engineered yeast solutions and into a broader screening approach. By testing more than 5,000 rumen-fluid micro-fermentations and 40 live-animal trials, the team identified an organic molecule that reduces methane emissions by 50–90% while improving feed efficiency and milk components. This dual benefit — climate and productivity — is core to Number8 Bio’s strategy and a key reason they believe their approach can scale.
The episode also explores the economics of farming, the realities of grazing systems, and why a slow-release “bolus” — a large pill that dissolves in the animal’s stomach over months — is essential for pasture-fed cattle. Tom explains how carbon insetting (not offsetting) can reward producers directly for emissions reductions, strengthening supply chains from farmer to retailer. Looking ahead, 2026 will see Number8 Bio’s first commercial trials, rigorous carbon-accounting data, and preparation for a broader launch across grazing systems in Australia and beyond.
Key Takeaways
Livestock methane accounts for around 6% of global climate change, and most of it comes from burps, not farts.
Number8 Bio’s leading molecule reduces methane by 50–90% in live-animal studies.
Productivity gains come from redirecting “wasted” methane-related energy back into growth and milk production.
The company must hit a delivery cost of 10–20 cents per head per day to enable uptake at scale.
A slow-release bolus enables methane reduction in pasture-based systems where daily feed additives aren’t feasible.
Notable Quotes
“Cattle are basically walking fermentation tanks.” — Tom Williams
“We knocked out a wasteful reaction and promoted a productive reaction in the rumen.” — Tom Williams
“These emissions from cows are 6% of all climate change, and it’s wasted energy the animal could have used to grow faster.” — Tom Williams
“People have had the option to stop eating meat for hundreds of years — they haven’t taken it up en masse.” — Tom Williams
“Where hope lies is in innovations that fit into existing systems and make them better.” — Tom Williams
Resources
Number8 Bio — https://www.number8.bio/?utm_source=shapethesystem.org
Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures
More about KPMG High Growth Ventures
Scale up for success. We’re here for that.
We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. 
From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.
Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. 
Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.
Links:
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/
Contacts: highgrowthventures@kpmg.com.au
Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High
Growth Ventures
 
More about KPMG High Growth Ventures
Scale up for success. We’re here for that.
We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach
their next milestone. 
From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now,
we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help
founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of
their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise,
skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.
Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means
that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and
practical insights. 
Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your
operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply
with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.
Links:
Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/
Contacts: highgrowthventures@kpmg.com.au