Press Release: 19/11/2021
AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANY LTD ENTERS GROUND-BREAKING TRIAL TO CUT METHANE EMISSIONS FROM CATTLE THROUGH SEAWEED
Australian Agricultural Company Ltd (AACo) has announced it will work with a Tasmanian company in a ground-breaking trial, that is the first step to reducing methane emissions across the company's feedlots.
AACo has teamed up with Tasmanian seaweed producer and manufacturer, Sea Forest Ltd, which is growing and converting asparagopsis seaweed into feed additives that reduce methane emissions from cattle and sheep.
The AACo trial, co-funded by the Meat and Livestock Australia, will initially involve 80 wagyu cattle at the Tullimba feedlot and is believed to be a first for non-dairy cattle and a pre-cursor for wider use of the seaweed in all livestock across the world over coming years.
Mr Hugh Killen, MD and CEO of AACo said the project, starting with 80 AACo cattle was the critical first step in turning the research into real world application at scale.
He said "The ability of Asparagopsis to reduce enteric methane emissions is widely known, but the technology is yet to be tested in Wagyu and over 300 days in a non-laboratory environment.
"We have been focused on reducing our emissions intensity for several years and are now tackling our methane emissions head on, with a view to expanding the use across our business.
"Only through trials like this can we fast track the application across the broader industry and make the changes that we, along with our customers and the public expect.
Seaforest recently received Federal Government funding as part of its $50 million investment to lift supply of the eco-friendly seaweed additive through marine farming, harvesting and processing operations at its 1,800-hectare sea lease at Triabunna, just north of Hobart.
The operations at Triabunna feature a hatchery, Australia's largest marine lease growing asparagopsis seaweed and a processing plant that converts the seaweed into user-friendly feed products that reduce carbon emissions.
From its first stage, Sea Forest plans to produce 7,000 tonnes a year of seaweed for livestock, initially cutting carbon emissions by livestock by about 400,000 tonnes per year.
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CEO of Sea Forest, Mr Sam Elsom said "We commend AACo for recognising the role it can play in helping reduce emissions and focusing on sustainability and the environment.
"We are looking forward to working with AACo to expand the use of our seaweed to all aspects of its cattle production process to achieve important sustainability goals", added Mr Elsom.
After carbon dioxide, methane is the world's second largest greenhouse gas, accounting for 14 per cent of global emissions and estimated to have a heating effect 34 times more than CO2.
Jason Strong, Managing Director of Meat & Livestock Australia, said "MLA has made a commitment to doubling our investment in the adoption of environmental projects like the Asparagopsis trial.
"We're involved as one of the founders of Asparagopsis licensing and the commercialization of the product and will support demonstration programs with the product going forward", he added.
Issued By:
Tim Allerton
City PR
0412 715 707
