•How it works
Red seaweed from the Asparagopsis genus contains bromoform, which inhibits an enzyme that microbes use to produce methane gas.
•How much it reduces emissions
In trials, feeding cows less than 1% of their diet as Asparagopsis reduced methane production by:
◦Up to 98%: According to trials
◦Up to 97%: According to Cornell CALS
◦Up to 82%: According to researchers at the University of California, Davis
•Who's involved
◦CSIRO: Developed a patented feed ingredient called FutureFeed that uses Asparagopsis
◦CH4 Global: Grows Asparagopsis in patented vessels on land
◦Sea Forest: An Australian startup that aims to mitigate the impact of livestock emissions
However, there are some challenges and potential risks to using seaweed to reduce methane emissions, including:
•Bromoform stability
Bromoform's stability declines over time, which can reduce its effectiveness.
•Iodine transfer
Iodine and bromoform can transfer to milk, which could lead to thyroid problems in humans, especially young children.
•Animal health
A Murdoch University review found that Asparagopsis may cause inflammation, hemorrhaging, and ulceration in cows' stomachs. Cows may also refuse to eat feed with higher concentrations of Asparagopsis.
•Long-term effects
The long-term effects of feeding seaweed to cows are unknown.
Now Bill Gates wants to "feed seaweed to cows in order to reduce the planet-heating emissions that come from their burps". 🤡