Eco-Friendly farming with seaweed for cattle

New feed lowers methane in beef cattle

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have pioneered an environmental breakthrough in cattle farming with a seaweed supplement that reduces methane emissions by almost 40%.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this innovative study introduces a viable solution for more climate-friendly cattle farming.

The research, led by Ermias Kebreab, delves into the potential of seaweed supplements to decrease methane emissions in grazing cattle—a key contributor to global greenhouse gases. Unlike traditional methods, which are less effective in pasture-based settings, the seaweed supplement is administered in a pellet form that is easy for cattle to consume.

This method not only maintains cattle health and weight but also seamlessly fits into the grazing lifestyle, which often poses challenges for consistent feed additive delivery.

"We need to make this seaweed additive or any feed additive more accessible to grazing cattle to make cattle farming more sustainable while meeting the global demand for meat,” Kebreab noted, underscoring the necessity for scalable solutions in pastoral farming areas.

As global demands for meat continue to rise, the adoption of such sustainable practices could significantly reduce the agricultural sector's environmental impact.

The study points towards a future where livestock farming aligns more closely with global sustainability goals, reducing emissions while maintaining productivity.

This advancement in livestock feed technology promises to enhance the sustainability of cattle farming globally, providing a replicable model for reducing environmental impacts in agriculture while supporting food security and climate resilience.