Seaweed Supplement Reduces Methane Emissions in Grazing Cattle by Nearly 40%

A new study demonstrates the environmental benefits of feeding seaweed pellets to grazing beef cattle without compromising their health or weight.

Grazing cattle fed a seaweed supplement in pellet form emitted nearly 40% less methane, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The research marks the first global study to test seaweed additives on grazing beef cattle, building on earlier findings that showed reductions of up to 82% in feedlot cattle and over 50% in dairy cows.
Methane from livestock accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with most methane from cattle released through burps rather than flatulence.
The study involved 24 beef steers grazing in Montana, where the seaweed supplement was consumed voluntarily and did not affect the animals' health or weight.
Researchers suggest the seaweed additive could be delivered through lick blocks or other accessible methods to improve sustainability in cattle farming and combat climate change.