GrainCorp tests Asparagopsis seaweed for bromoform levels in methane-busting cattle feed project

GrainCorp has a key role in the success of the Asparagopsis seaweed as a cattle feed. See what it is.

GrainCorp product development technologist Dr Sara Labaf is testing the Asparagopsis seaweed at GrainCorp's West Footscray laboratory.

Australia’s livestock industry was on a winner when a compound in red seaweed was discovered to reduce methane production in cattle.

But the methane-busting bromoform compound in the Asparagopsis taxiformis seaweed is so volatile, there is no guarantee it will be there or at high enough levels to be effective when fed to cattle.

A researcher at GrainCorp’s West Footscray plant is testing the seaweed for bromoform levels after harvesting from the sea but also prior to being included in cattle feed.

GrainCorp product development technologist Sara Labaf said the bromoform was so volatile it evaporated in the open air.

“We need to test the raw material and the finished product to see whether the active ingredient is still active,” Dr Labaf said.

Development of the seaweed additive to cattle feeds is being run by FutureFeed, a partnership of the CSIRO, Meat and Livestock Australia and James Cook University in Queensland.

GrainCorp took a 20 per cent stake in FutureFeed last year, as the company could see synergies with its stockfeed supply businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

Dr Labaf said bromoform reduced up to 98 per cent of methane production of cows, which accounted for about 15 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia.

“Early studies have suggested a potential for improved feed utilisation in cows being fed Asparagopsis,” she said.

Dr Labaf said bromoform levels in Asparagopsis taxiformis ranged from about 6mg to 12mg for every gram of seaweed.

The FutureFeed project is looking at adding just small amounts of the seaweed to cow feed rations.

But with bromoform being readily volatilised in open air, that posed challenges.

“It shouldn’t be below a certain level in the feed,” Dr Labaf said.

“So before giving it to cows, we need to measure the level of bromoform.”

Dr Labaf said Asparagopsis was normally harvested from the sea and freeze dried to preserve the bromoform levels.

“But freeze drying is very energy expensive, so we are working on other producing technologies which are more sustainable,” she said.

GrainCorp quality and innovation manager Peter Lymberis said Asparagopsis was harvested from its natural populations in the sea but research partners were looking at farming the seaweed.

“The exciting part of this project is the development of a supply chain,” Mr Lymberis said.

GrainCorp would not be drawn on where it would invest in the supply chain.

“GrainCorp is actively participating in the formation of the industry and is monitoring all value chain opportunities,” a spokeswoman said.

FutureFeed spokeswoman Eve Faulkner said the program was focusing on commercial cultivation of the seaweed to scale up production to meet stockfeed demand.

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