FutureFeed is a pioneer in using asparagopsis seaweed as a livestock feed solution to reduce methane emissions and improve anti-minimal animal production.
Globally, around 1.3 billion people rely on livestock, and livestock production needs to be increased productivity in order to increase the economy and food security. However, this creates the harmful gas emissions problems associated with livestock agriculture. Livestock agriculture is the main source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with livestock emissions from fertilizer and gastrointestinal releases accounting for about 32% of human-strapped methane emissions. To meet the urgent need to increase livestock production, it is important to address the issue of reducing greenhouse gases and find solutions to reduce methane used in the livestock sector.
Animal feed that reduces methane
After decades of research, experts at CSIRO, an Australian government agency, discovered that asparagopis, a red seaweed native to Australia’s coastal waters, reduces methane emissions and increases livestock productivity. Asparagopsis prevents the formation of methane by producing a bioactive compound called bromoform and inhibiting certain enzymes in the intestine during feed digestion. Scientists found that ingesting cattle at less than 1% of the animal’s total daily feed intake is sufficient to significantly reduce the contribution of greenhouse gases from agriculture. There are also strong signs that increase livestock productivity.
Commercialization of asparagopsis in animal feed
Based on this groundbreaking discovery, in 2020, CSIRO founded a spin-off company, FutureFeed Pty Ltd, commercializing 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 to reduce methane and increase livestock productivity. FutureFeed holds other patent-pending IPs for the manufacture of vegetable oil-based Asparagopsis products.
FutureFeed is working to develop a value chain from seaweed cultivation and production to processing and feeding to supply livestock producers both in Australia and internationally. Until now, FutureFeed has driven technology development and commercialization to its growth/manufacturing partners in Australia, New Zealand, South Asia, East Asia, the US, Europe and Canada. Commercial sales and supply of asparagopsis to cattle producers began in 2022.
With successful transitions to scale by several licensees, FutureFeed is beginning the next phase of its commercialization journey. The role of FutureFeed is to promote collaboration and supply chains within the industry, enable links and partnerships, continue to promote asparagopsis, promote impact on methane reduction, and improve anti-min animal production.
Award-winning sustainable feed solutions
Since its founding, FutureFeed has received many highly acclaimed awards in recognition of its work in methane reduction solutions. These include the Food Planet Awards for 2020, the Agriculture and Environmental Category of Financial Review Sustainability Leaders, the Bloombergniff Pioneer Program, and the Top 100 Indo-Pacific Climate Technology Companies in 2024.
This article will also be featured in the 22nd edition of Quarterly Publication.
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