July 27, 2020

Fonterra partnership looks into using seaweed to reduce emissions by dairy cows

Fonterra will partner with Sea Forest to explore the possibility of reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated by dairy herds by using seaweed in feed.

The trial will use Asparagopsis, a seaweed grown naturally in Australia and New Zealand, as a supplement feed for herds in Tasmania, Australia, during the coming milk season.

The Asparagopsis species of seaweed produces a bioactive compound called bromoform, which prevents the formation of methane by inhibiting a specific enzyme in the gut during the digestion of feed.

According to the CSIRO, methane from burps and flatulence is a greenhouse gas 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

More than 20% of the world's entire greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock production, and in Australia, the contribution of methane emissions from ruminant livestock is approaching 10% of total greenhouse emissions.

In laboratory testing led by the CSIRO, the seaweed has shown the potential to reduce the emissions from cows by more than 80%.

Throughout the trial, the seaweed will be mixed in with the cows' feed when they come in to be milked and fed in very small rations - less than 1% of the cows' daily feed.

Fonterra Australia sustainability manager Jack Holden said helping farmers to produce milk more sustainably is a priority for the dairy co-op.

"Most dairy farming emissions come from the methane cows produce as they digest their feed," he said.

"Early testing shows the potential for these emissions to be reduced by incorporating natural seaweed into cows' diets, so we are keen to see if those test results can be replicated in dairy herds at scale."

Sea Forest founder Sam Elsom said he was excited to be teaming up with Fonterra on this initiative.

"We've been developing this product for 18 months, so commencing this trial is a real milestone for us," said Elsom.

"This is the first trial we've engaged with and we hope it can assist in improving research in this space and bring us closer to commercialising this product as a feed supplement, to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of milk production.

"We've partnered with Fonterra because of their commitment to sustainability and innovation and we look forward to working with them on this trial."

- Farmonline National