The methane produced by belching cattle stock have become a problematic source of emissions as the number of cattle increased significantly over recent decades. However, a collaboration between proteins and food producer CirPro, together with feed supplement provider CH4 Global, to serve methane-reduced beef dishes in Adelaide shows there are measures we can take to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint.

The event marked an exciting culmination of research and the commercial application of red seaweed Asparagosis as a methane-reducing feed additive for cattle. When added to livestock feedlots, the seaweed-based feed additive has the environmental advantage of reducing methane production in cattle by breaking down carbon and hydrogen produced in the gut.

“These cattle produced 90 per cent less methane than their counterparts anywhere else in the world, taking a significant step towards lowering our global emissions,” explained Adam Main General Manager CH4 Australia, the Australian operations of CH4 Global. CH4 Global is the first licensee of Future Feed, the additive developed by CSIRO, James Cook University and Meat and Livestock Australia.

Significant steps like these to curb emissions will be essential to enabling Australia’s red meat industry to reach their target to be carbon neutral by 2030. Livestock is the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia after the energy and transport sectors. It contributes approximately 11 per cent of Australia’s total national greenhouse gas emissions.

Not only does the seaweed supplement reduce methane production, it has the added benefit of converting the energy in methane to body weight. This has seen an increase in livestock productivity by 20 per cent. With potential to reduce emissions and improve production efficiency, commercial interest from farmers and green investors is understandably growing.

Seastock, a commercial seaweed farmer operating near Abrolhos Islands off the coast of Western Australia, is working to make that a reality. The company has recorded its first harvest pulling in 300 kilograms of seaweed from an aquaculture farm. CH4 Global has also announced plans to expand their operations in South Australia as well as create production capacity in North America. Sea Forest has setup a new research and development facility in Triabunna, Tasmania.

Even with plans to expand production and continue research to optimise results, a lot more seaweed will be needed by the meat industry. At current usage rates a reported 26,565 tonnes of seaweed would be needed each year to cover all Australian feedlots.

The Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance is confident that with further research and innovation the Asparagopsis industry will continue to grow and deliver results. The alliance has suggested the Australian seaweed industry could be worth as much as $100 million by 2025. The introduction of regulations and carbon markets overseas could help drive demand for Australia’s Asparagopsis, particularly if more research becomes available on its ability to substantially increase weight gain by grain-fed cattle.

“We’re expecting to have our first branded product available to retailers and restaurants in Adelaide by mid-January 2023,” said Reg Smyth, CEO of CirPro.

Although large scale commercial production of Asparagopsis remains under development, Smyth sees enormous potential benefits once volumes and timings are expanded. He points out that with such a significant emissions savings possible through low methane meat, the use of seaweed additives in meat production should become normalised.

In the meantime, the easiest way for people to cut down on diet-related emissions is to reduce their overall consumption of meat.

Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.