Asparagopsis

Animal methane reduction through asparagopsis diet

Description

Over 50% of Australia’s land use is leveraged for ruminant grazing. In the Bega Valley, 15% of the land is used for ruminant grazing. While cows in particular generate a high amount of methane, CSIRO identified that aspargopsis seaweed could significantly reduce methane reduction in cow’s digestion process, potentially paving the way for a world class solution on cow footprints.

This project will aim to enhance existing efforts around asparagopsis and the following options are being considered:

• Embed circularity into stockfeed (lick blocks) asparagopsis into feed solutions using Bega Cheese’s by-products (salt, nutrients, energy) as ingredient inputs to AACo lick block manufacturing + asparagopsis;
• Identify additional uses for the asparagopsis product beyond feed, e.g. as a fertiliser;
• Land based production – use of waste salt water, energy (heat)
• Trial into dairy as a feed input and measure methane reduction in a pasture fed dairy model as well as assess taste implications on dairy products; •Research additional delivery options, e.g. infuse into livestock drinking points.

Outcomes

Confirmed feasibility, viability, practicality of introducing asparagopsis to cow diets.