FutureFeed is pioneering the use of Asparagopsis seaweed as a livestock feed solution to reduce methane emissions and improve production in ruminant animals.
Globally, around 1.3bn people depend upon livestock for their livelihoods and there is a pressing need to increase the productivity of livestock production to enhance both economic and food security. However, with this comes the issue of harmful gas emissions attached to livestock farming. Livestock farming is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with livestock emissions – from manure and gastroenteric releases – accounting for roughly 32% of human-caused methane emissions. To satisfy the urgent need to increase livestock production whilst also addressing the issue of reducing greenhouse gases, finding methane-reducing solutions for use in the livestock sector is crucial.
Methane-reducing animal feed
Following decades of research, experts from the Australian government agency CSIRO discovered that Asparagopsis – a red seaweed native to Australian coastal waters – reduces methane emissions and increases livestock productivity. Asparagopsis 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. Scientists found that, when fed to cattle at less than 1% of the animals’ total daily feed intake is enough to drastically reduce greenhouse gas contribution from agriculture. There is also a strong indication it increases livestock productivity.
Commercialising Asparagopsis for animal feed
Building on this breakthrough discovery, in 2020 CSIRO established the spin-off company FutureFeed Pty Ltd to commercialise Asparagopsis as a cost-effective seaweed feed ingredient. FutureFeed holds the global intellectual property (IP) for the use of Asparagopsis as a livestock feed ingredient for reducing methane and improving livestock productivity. FutureFeed also holds other patent-pending IP for the manufacturing of vegetable oil-based Asparagopsis products.
FutureFeed is working to develop a value chain from seaweed cultivation and production through to processing and feed manufacture to supply livestock producers in Australia and internationally. To date, FutureFeed has licensed growing/manufacturing partners across Australia, New Zealand, South and East Asia, United States, Europe and Canada to drive the development and commercialisation of the technology. Commercial sale and supply of Asparagopsis to cattle producers began in 2022.
With the successful transition to scale by several of its licensees, FutureFeed is commencing its next stage in the commercialisation journey. FutureFeed’s role is to foster collaboration within the industry and supply chain and enable linkages and partnerships, continuing to promote Asparagopsis and drive its impact in methane reduction and improve production in ruminant animals.
Award-winning sustainable feed solution
Since its establishment, FutureFeed has won a number of highly-regarded awards in recognition of its work in methane abatement solutions. These include the 2020 Food Planet Prize, the Agriculture and Environment category of the Financial Review Sustainability Leaders, the BloombergNEF Pioneers programme, and the 2024 Indo Pacific Climate Tech Top 100 Company.
Please note, this article will also appear in our Animal Health Special Focus publication.
