Wednesday, 02 October 2024 13:25

Seaweed wonder

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: Research across the ditch has found that seaweed doesn’t just make a tasty wrap for sushi rolls.

Australian researchers found that feeding it to cows can slash methane pollution from the animals’ burps by over 50%.

Researchers worldwide have been investigating different ways to make cows’ burps more environmentally friendly, and some, like the Australian researchers, have proven that red seaweed could be a gamechanger

As the Guardian reported, a 200-day trial at the Kerwee Feedlot near Brisbane, Australia — one of the longest commercial trials of the red seaweed additive so far — found feeding cows a supplement derived from Asparagopsis, a type of red seaweed, more than halved methane released from the cattle.

On day 29 of the trial, cows given the supplement produced 91% less methane — the largest reduction measured during the study.

More like this

Oz farmers' election wishlist

Australian farmers advocate NFF says this year’s Federal Election will be a defining moment for Australian agriculture.

Featured

Top ag scientist to advise PM

A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.

National

Machinery & Products

Gongs for best field days site

Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

What's going on?

OPINION: On the 2nd of May, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced that the 'government remains on track to ban full…

Cows down

OPINION: It's not happening as fast as the greenies would like - they actually want all livestock other than Muscovy…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter