Seaweed Supplement Shows Promise in Reducing Methane Emissions from Cattle
Livestock are responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, with methane released from their digestion being a major contributor.
Grazing cattle, in particular, produce more methane than cattle raised in feedlots or dairy cows because their diet consists primarily of fibrous grasses. This presents a challenge for sustainable cattle farming, as the demand for meat continues to rise worldwide.
However, a new study offers a glimmer of hope: a seaweed-based supplement has shown remarkable promise in reducing methane emissions from grazing cattle without negatively affecting their health or weight.
A Seaweed Solution for a Gaseous Problem
The study focused on a group of Angus and Wagyu beef cattle grazing on a ranch in Montana. Researchers divided the cattle into two groups; one received a daily seaweed supplement, while the other did not. Over a 10-week period, the researchers carefully monitored the methane emissions from both groups.
The results were striking. The cattle that received the seaweed supplement exhibited an almost 40% reduction in methane emissions compared to the control group. This finding is particularly significant because it’s the first study to test the effectiveness of seaweed on grazing cattle.
“Beef cattle spend only about three months in barns and spend most of their lives grazing and producing methane,” said Ermias Kebreab, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. “We need to make this seaweed additive or any feed additive more accessible to grazing cattle to make cattle farming more sustainable while meeting global demand for meat.”
Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Grazing
Providing nutritional supplements to grazing cattle poses unique challenges compared to cattle raised in confined environments. Grazing cattle roam vast areas, often away from ranches for extended periods, making regular supplemental feeding more difficult. However, during the winter months or when grass is scarce, farmers often supplement their cattle’s diet.
“This method paves the way for creating a readily available seaweed supplement for grazing animals,” Kebreab said. “Farmers could even introduce the algae through a lick block to their livestock.”
A Brighter Future for Sustainable Cattle Farming
This study presents a promising solution for reducing the environmental impact of cattle farming, particularly in pastoral agricultural systems that support millions of people worldwide, often in regions vulnerable to climate change.
While further research is needed to optimize the delivery and long-term effects of seaweed supplementation, this finding offers a ray of hope for a more sustainable future for cattle farming and a vital step towards mitigating the methane emissions contributing to climate change.
What are the long-term environmental impacts of incorporating seaweed into cattle feed?
## Seaweed: A Moo-velous Solution for Methane Emissions?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is Dr. Ermias Kebreab, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, who led a groundbreaking study on reducing methane emissions from cattle using a rather unconventional method – seaweed. Dr. Kebreab, thanks for joining us.
**Dr. Kebreab:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** So, methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and livestock, particularly grazing cattle, are major contributors. What prompted your team to investigate seaweed as a potential solution?
**Dr. Kebreab:** Well, livestock are responsible for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions [[1](https://eandt.theiet.org/2024/12/02/feeding-cattle-seaweed-shown-cut-methane-emissions-40)]. We needed innovative solutions, and seaweed emerged as a promising candidate. Previous research showed seaweed’s ability to reduce methane in feedlot cattle, but this was the first study focused on grazing cattle, which spend most of their lives outdoors.
**Host:** And how did the seaweed perform?
**Dr. Kebreab:** The results were very encouraging. Cattle receiving the daily seaweed supplement showed an almost 40% reduction in methane emissions compared to the control group over the 10-week study. [[1](https://eandt.theiet.org/2024/12/02/feeding-cattle-seaweed-shown-cut-methane-emissions-40)]
**Host:** Remarkable! Were there any negative impacts on the cows’ health or weight?
**Dr. Kebreab:** That’s the best part – absolutely not. The seaweed supplement didn’t affect their health or weight gain in any way.
**Host:** This sounds like a breakthrough. What are the next steps for this research?
**Dr. Kebreab:** We are excited to explore the long-term effects of seaweed supplementation and investigate its impact on different breeds and grazing environments. The ultimate goal is to make this sustainable solution accessible to farmers worldwide.
**Host:** Professor Kebreab, thank you so much for shedding light on this important research. This could be a significant step forward in mitigating the environmental impact of cattle farming.
**Dr. Kebreab:** Thank you for having me.
