Seaweed Additive Reduces Cattle Emissions

Tim Hammerich

News Reporter

Cattle are sometimes criticized for their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, but a seaweed-based feed additive could make a big difference. Ermias Kebreab, associate dean and professor of animal science at UC Davis, says their research is showing significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions with certain feed additives.

Kebreab… “I have not seen any other additive that would reduce by as much as the seaweed that we had been working on. In this case, we've seen a reduction, anywhere between 50% to 80% or more. And it just depends on the substrate or what they have been fed. Those animals fed at the early stage with high forage high fiber, the reduction was more about 50% to 60%. And then when we go to more concentrate based typical feedlot diets, then we see the reduction of over 80%.”

Dr. Kebreab says along with these drops in emissions, these additives could also be improving feed efficiency.

Kebreab… “With the seaweed, for example, what we've seen was that there was a 20% increase in the feed conversion efficiency. So what this means is that for the same amount of feed that you give to the animals, you get an additional growth, additional meat, in this case, from the animal.”

The cattle industry continues to find innovative ways to be more efficient and sustainable.