Methane-busting cow feed supplement now available

A feed supplement for cows that can reduce their methane emissions by over 80% is now commercially available in Australia. The additive uses the seaweed Asparagopsis, which can naturally lower emissions of the greenhouse gas when fed to cattle, and its commercial release follows years of scientific development. The additive is available from CH4 Global.

FutureFeed is the licensor of the technology, which was developed by CSIRO, Meat & Livestock Australia and James Cook University. Along with CH4 Global, two other licensees exist in Australia: Sea Forest and SeaStock.

FutureFeed, which formed in 2020, has been working to establish an industry of Asparagopsis production. It has been conducting research and development into the seaweed, and has focused on the formulation of certification standards and a trademark for it.

Cassandra Kelly, Senior Advisor to FutureFeed, said that the commercialisation was a milestone in the use of Asparagopsis.

“It’s both inspiring and humbling to reflect on how the industry has managed to engage the brains trust, community and investment support in just under four years to make a product launch like this a reality,” Kelly said.

“Just a few years ago, Asparagopsis was a largely unknown seaweed that was not cultivated in commercial quantities and had very few applications outside of niche cosmetics and as a condiment in Hawaii.

“Now we are seeing a new industry with the capability to support local communities and the creation of jobs whilst working together to make a meaningful impact on methane emissions from livestock.”

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said the first commercial sale of FutureFeed represented a turning point for the translation of scientific developments into usable products.

“CSIRO is proud to have been part of the FutureFeed journey, including going through our revolutionary ON program to accelerate the idea from benchtop to business,” Marshall said.

MLA Managing Director Jason Strong said avoiding emissions was a necessary part of the red meat industry achieving a carbon neutral status by 2030.

“MLA is continuing to work on a range of tools and technologies for producers to cost-effectively reduce emissions and increase productivity by demonstrating environmental stewardship credentials to customers, consumers and the community,” Strong said.

“We are proud to be working alongside FutureFeed in rolling out Asparagopsis to a range of commercial partners. Asparagopsis is one of many exciting tools the industry can embrace in working towards our goal of carbon neutrality at the end of the decade.”

Further information about the licensing of the Asparagopsis supplement is available online.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/damedias