ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2025 39 Agricultural methane from livestock presents a major climate challenge, but Asparagopsis seaweed offers a powerful, natural solution. Asparagopsis can reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 90 per cent in cattle, providing a safe and effective way for the livestock industry to meet ambitious climate goals while maintaining productivity. The global challenge of climate change has brought unprecedented attention to methane emissions from livestock. As a greenhouse gas, methane is particularly concerning due to its potency: it traps heat in the atmosphere with more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide during a 20-year period. With the livestock sector accounting for roughly 30 percent of human-driven methane emissions, the need for effective solutions has never been more urgent. The challenge is particularly acute given that global demand for animal protein continues to rise, even as countries worldwide commit to ambitious methane reduction targets. More than 150 nations have signed the Global Methane Pledge, committing to reduce emissions 30 per cent by 2030. Yet the livestock industry has struggled to find solutions that are both effective and practical for widespread adoption by or before 2030. As the agri-food industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, the search for safe, effective and sustainable solutions has led researchers to an unexpected source: the ocean. Asparagopsis seaweed, which grows naturally in coastal waters, is emerging as the most promising natural tool for tackling enteric methane emissions from cattle. THE POWER OF NATURE'S OWN SOLUTION Asparagopsis and other species of seaweed have been part of marine ecosystems for millions of years and has long been consumed by humans, particularly in Hawaii, Japan and Southeast Asia. The red seaweed species of Asparagopsis has adapted a defense mechanism whereby it produces natural compounds to protect itself in the marine environment. These same compounds naturally interact with the digestive processes of ruminant animals, significantly reducing their methane production. What makes Asparagopsis particularly remarkable is its exceptional efficacy: research has shown it can reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 90 per cent in beef cattle when used as a feed supplement at just 0.5 per cent inclusion. This level of reduction far exceeds what any other approaches can achieve, making it a powerful tool in the fight against agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Asparagopsis Seaweed: NATURE’S ANSWER TO LIVESTOCK METHANE Dr. Steve Meller Chief Executive Officer CH4 Global
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