Seaweed: Nature’s Answer to Methane Emissions
Edwards' Seaweed has a natural ability to reduce livestock methane emissions safely
A natural approach to methane reduction
The Edwards' supply of natural seaweed products for commercial and domestic application offers a natural and sustainable approach to reducing methane emissions in livestock and lowering the environmental footprint of farming across the country.
Why sustainable UK Seaweed?
In light of consumer concern about chemical feed supplements like Bovaer®, Edwards offer a significant library of research about eco-friendly seaweed. This includes two decades of scientific data gathered from across the world, which confirms the positive role that sustainable UK seaweed can play as nature’s own alternative.
The potential is real for seaweed harvested from the Scottish North Sea to mitigate methane emissions from animals, including cows and sheep, when ingested directly and/or indirectly.
Recent Studies
Studies conducted as recently as last year show that brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) contains phlorotannins which, when supplemented to an animal’s diet, improves their gut health and digestibility and can reduce enteric methane emissions organically.
Furthermore, farmers that use seaweed fertiliser on their grasslands produce a high dry matter, nutrient rich, broad leaved sward with less stalk. Scientific research indicates that ruminants fed fresh young grass with an absence of stalk chew less, reducing enteric methane production in the animal’s gut naturally and safely.
Independent research
Independent research has shown that seaweed improves the intestinal health of livestock, increases nutrient absorption and digestibility, and thus increases feed conversion ratios.
In dairy cattle, Edwards’ Sea Juice can improve milk yields and milk nutrition and lower the incidences of mastitis and endometritis. This also applies to all lactating livestock.
Further independent research has suggested that the antioxidants in seaweed increase livestock’s resistance to environmental stress factors, reducing the risk of immune response inflammation in the animal. Research also demonstrates a reduction in livestock disease and mortality, as well as improved wellbeing, fertility, and coat condition.
The research:
1 Dušan Bošnjaković, Sreten Nedić, Sveta Arsić, Radiša Prodanović, Ivan Vujanac, Ljubomir Jovanović, Milica Stojković, Ivan B. Jovanović, Ivana Djuricic & Danijela Kirovski. (2024). Effects of Brown Seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) Supplementation on Enteric Methane Emissions, Metabolic Status and Milk Composition in Peak-Lactating Holstein Cows.
2 Youyoung Choi, Shin Ja Lee, Hyun Sang Kim, Jun Sik Eom, Seong Uk Jo, Le Luo Guan, Jakyeom Seo, Hanbeen Kim, Sang Suk Lee, Sung Sill Lee. (2021). Effects of seaweed extract on in in-vitro rumen fermentation characteristics, methane production, and microbial abundance.
3 Gracia, A., Ramos Morales, E., & Newbold, C. J. (2016). In vitro screening of natural feed additives from crustaceans, diatoms, seaweeds and plant extracts to manipulate rumen fermentation.
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4 Cameron, L; Chagunda et al. (2018). A comparison of milk yields and methane production from three contrasting high-yield dairy cattle feeding regimes; cut-and-carry, partial grazing and total mixed ration.
5 Maguy Eugene, Katja Klumpp & Daniel Sauvant. (2021). Methane mitigation option with forages fed to ruminants.
6 Izabela Michalak, Ruchi Tiwari, Manish Dhawan, Mahmoud Alagawany, MayD R. Farag, Khan Sharun, Talha Bin Emran & Kuldeep Dhama. (2022) Antioxidant effects of seaweed and their active compounds on animal health and production.
7 Scientific research references regarding seaweed’s benefits on animals can be found here.
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