Frequently Asked Questions

On average one cow produces about as much greenhouse gas as one car. Dairy cows produce about 300 grams of methane per day (approximately 3 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) per year), and beef cows produce about 150 grams of methane per day (approx. 1.5 tonnes CO2-eq per year). However, these figures will vary depending on the feeding system and feed formulation, particularly relative to the ratio of grass to grain in the diet.

Ruminant animals, predominantly cattle, contribute 30% of global methane emissions. (Source: FAO). The gas emitted through their belching and flatulence is referred to as enteric methane.

Total carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) emissions specifically from enteric methane = 2.7 gigatonnes/year. This represents 5.5% of anthropogenic (ie. human-caused) greenhouse gas emissions. (Source: FAO).

Cow burps contribute about 90-95%, while farting accounts for the remaining 5-10%.

A few scientists with a similar idea came together to make this happen.

FutureFeed’s Dr Rob Kinley had his “lightbulb moment” in Canada in 2007, where an innovative farmer had been allowing his dairy cows access to seaweed that appeared naturally on his property. He reported consistent improvements in animal performance. (Cattle and sheep have long been known to voluntarily consume seaweed in variable amounts if they have access). The farmer desired to commercialise this concept but regulations required it be scientifically tested first. Dr Kinley was asked to conduct some testing, and that is when he first discovered a 20% reduction in methane emissions for the seaweed genus present on that particular farm.

Excited by this finding, a global search began for a seaweed with even more methane-busting potential.

Professor Rocky de Nys and his team at James Cook University (JCU) in Australia were investigating seaweeds for livestock nutrition with CSIRO scientists. Dr Kinley joined CSIRO, and the motivated team continued the quest for a natural feed ingredient to reduce methane and improve feed use efficiency. The project was backed by Meat and Livestock Australia.

No one expected the nearly complete elimination of methane emissions that were observed in the Asparagopsis trials.

Many seaweeds provide a methane reduction of 10-20% but Asparagopsis is the star performer, with unprecedented methane inhibition. During screening in the laboratory it eliminated methane production below detection from rumen digestive processes.

There are two species of interest: Asparagopsis taxiformis (tropical version) and Asparagopsis armata (temperate version). Both species have similar bioactive chemistry but thrive in different conditions.

As a general rule, it only takes an inclusion of 0.5% of Asparagopsis as a proportion of dry matter intake to reduce methane emissions by over 80% in controlled conditions such as a beef feedlot.

In the laboratory mimicking the digestive processes of cattle with less than 1.0% of the seaweed in the feed, the methane production was reduced to undetectable levels that we refer to as reduction greater than 99%. In a beef feedlot trial, methane reduction over 95% was achieved when Asparagopsis made up 0.5% of the daily dry matter intake.

The effect will be the same for all ruminant species including sheep. However, efficacy will be variable dependent on the diet and species of the individual animal.

The makeup of feed that the animal eats is more important than the breed of the animal. Grass produces more methane than grain and the lower quality the grass, the more methane is produced.

Yes. The research has been conducted by some of the most reputable institutions in the world including CSIRO, University of California Davis and James Cook University. In extensive scientific trials over nearly a decade, we have not found any seaweed-derived bromoform residue in any part of the animal or food products including the meat, fat, kidneys, livers, offal or faecal matter.

Controlling the emissions of enteric methane from feedlots was the first research phase. The use of Asparagopsis in dairy farms was then proven as safe and efficient. And now there is a research and development focus on grazing systems.

We license seaweed growers and processors globally to supply the market with quality Asparagopsis seaweed. Contact these licensees to order product.

FutureFeed doesn’t provide advice on how to grow Asparagopsis – we license growers to allow them to sell product to the livestock market. We are always happy to connect with those who have aquaculture experience or infrastructure to discuss licensing arrangements.

We welcome enquiries from those with industrial aquaculture capability. More information here.

Before embarking on a carbon project, farmers are required to undertake baseline assessments or carbon foot-printing. One tool that is available for grazing systems is provided free of charge by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). Other tools are available for feedlots and dairy businesses.

Projects to generate carbon credits for methane emission reductions using feed additives can be implemented with international voluntary standards, such as the Gold Standard and VERRA.

FutureFeed is part of an industry working group paving the way for enteric methane reductions to be recognised under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme.

FutureFeed is continuing to do work on life cycle assessment and cost of abatement modelling. This information will feed into methodology development. However, equations for the calculation of methane emission reductions for farmers using Asparagopsis have already been developed.