About FutureFeed

The great seaweed search

A decade ago, a team of scientists from CSIRO and James Cook University, supported by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) came together to investigate the methane reduction potential of native Australian seaweeds. It was hoped that ruminant animals such as cows might improve feed efficiency by consuming seaweed, due to conservation of energy otherwise lost as methane.

Asparagopsis was in the first cohort of seaweeds tested. The results in vitro (using lab equipment to mimic a cow’s stomach) were so unbelievable the scientist thought the methane measurement instrument was broken! After repeating experiments several times, a low inclusion level of Asparagopsis was confirmed to virtually eliminate methane. Subsequent in vivo (animal) studies in Australia and the USA consistently demonstrated reductions of more than 80 per cent could be achieved in a controlled farm setting.

Asparagopsis in the wild

Enter FutureFeed

FutureFeed was established by CSIRO in 2020 to commercialise this world-changing discovery. Investors include CSIRO, Woolworths Group, GrainCorp, AGP Sustainable Real Assets and Harvest Road. FutureFeed licenses intellectual property to Asparagopsis producers around the world, who grow and process the seaweed that can be supplied to feed manufacturers and livestock producers. We are continually growing our network of licensees and partners, so that the impact of our science can be scaled to meet huge demand from the red meat and dairy industries.

Timeline of Events

We need to act now

Asparagopsis is one of several solutions for addressing agriculture’s contribution to global warming. With reference to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

  • We’re here to help solve the global climate crisis. As methane only has an atmospheric lifespan of for 12 years, action we take now can have a significant impact in the near term. (SDG no. 13: Climate action).

  • Globally, over a billion people depend, partially or entirely, on livestock for their livelihoods. Asparagopsis provides a sustainable way forward for this important industry. (SDG no. 1: No poverty).

  • Livestock provides protein and micronutrients to many of the world’s 830 million people experiencing food insecurity. (SDG no. 2: Zero hunger; SDG no. 12: Responsible consumption).

  • We actively seek acceleration of our mission through strategic partnerships with governments, universities and various industries in the value chain (seaweed, livestock, dairy, retail, meat processing, multinational food and beverage). (SDG no. 17: Partnership for the goals).