The Science

A decade of world-class science

Asparagopsis seaweed, native to Australia, is the most efficient natural methane supplement available for livestock – capable of reducing methane emissions by more than 80 per cent in controlled conditions. Asparagopsis can be included in feed and supplements as a stabilised freeze-dried powder, or in an edible oil. The research we have done so far included the supplement in:

·       feedlot and dairy total mixed rations; and

·       dairy cows supplemented twice daily at milking.

What has the science proven?

80% methane reductions

Asparagopsis is extremely effective at reducing methane in ruminant animals, by more than 80% when consumed at the low optimum level based on delivery of the bioactive marker identified as bromoform.

Livestock feed

Asparagopsis is safe to feed to cattle.

There are no concerns with rumen function or feed digestibility.

Red meat icon

Meat products from Asparagopsis-fed cattle are safe for humans to consume. There are no concerns of seaweed-derived bromoform residues in the fat, muscle, or edible offal. There is no change to meat eating quality or taste.

Peer reviewed scientific papers

  • The red macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis is a potent natural antimethanogenic that reduces methane production during in vitro fermentation with rumen fluid (Kinley et al, 2016)

  • Asparagopsis taxiformis decreases enteric methane production from sheep (Li et al, 2018)

  • Inclusion of Asparagopsis armata in lactating dairy cows’ diet reduces enteric methane emission by over 50 percent (Roque et al, 2019)

  • Effect of the macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis on methane production and rumen microbiome assemblage (Roque et al, 2019)

  • Mitigating the carbon footprint and improving productivity of ruminant livestock agriculture using a red seaweed (Kinley et al 2020)

  • Red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis) supplementation reduces enteric methane by over 80 percent in beef steers (Roque et al, 2021)

  • Twice daily feeding of canola oil steeped with Asparagopsis armata reduced methane emissions of lactating dairy cows (Alvarez-Hess et al, 2023)

New research: feed conversion efficiency

Early studies indicated that animal performance as average daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency could be significantly improved by feeding small amounts of Asparagopsis to cattle. Feed energy otherwise lost as methane emissions can be redirected into microbial metabolism beneficial to the animal. This could manifest in a number of ways: fewer days on feed to reach target weight, less feed required to reach target weight, or less feed required for more weight gain.

Earlier studies used small numbers of animals, so we recently conducted a larger herd trial (300 steers) to confirm and quantify improvements. We anticipate publishing this important study after peer review in early 2024.