After small amounts of seaweed were added to cattle’s diets for five months, there was an 82% reduction in the amount of methane they release through burps and flatulence. This methane is produced from the microbes in a cow’s stomach, a process that is largely counteracted by a particular species of seaweed, called Asparagopsis Taxiformis.

This seaweed contains a compound called bromoform, which prevents the enzyme activity of methanogens, the microbes in a cow’s stomach that produces methane. The main problem with this development is obtaining large amounts of this plant, which drifts on the surface of waves, and a surplus of the product is not available to farms.

When a study was conducted with dairy cows given seaweed supplements, milk was tested in a blind experiment, and taste remained indistinguishable.

Diet isn’t the only thing that could change methane production from livestock. Researchers are developing an anti-methane vaccine that will target methanogens in cows’ stomachs, but the antibodies currently struggle in the intense environment of a cow’s stomach. This research has also led to the organic compound 3-NOP, or Bovaer, being added to cow feed, which decreased methane emissions by an average of 30%. 

These new discoveries show profound promise in cutting down the colossal footprint that the meat and dairy industry leave. Hopefully, farms will start being constructed for this incredible species of seaweed and other options will continue to be improved. It is up to everyone, the consumers, to make sure that there is backing behind these developments so they will be implemented in the future.

I had heard about seaweed being helpful for cutting sown cows’ methane emissions a while ago, and it’s so fascinating to me. While many people say that they’ve heard of it, very few know the precise details of it, which is what I wanted to tackle in this synopsis.

Naturally, I looked to my databases for information on this topic. However, they seem to be lacking abundant material when it comes to cows and seaweed, hence the relatively brief length of this piece. I plan to further pursue this topic, reaching beyond the databases I usually use. I’ve been hesitant to expand my sources because I fear fabrication, but I plan to check credibility for each outside source I use, and I cannot restrict myself to the limited knowledge I’ve been given by the two sources I’ve been using.

I had heard of a man who walked his cows on the coast, which let them graze from the ocean’s vegetation that had washed ashore. I have yet to find an article on this story, so I can’t be certain on its credibility, but that’s for the next Synopsis. Hopefully you’re as interested as I am and you’ll stay tuned to learn with me!

Read more about how seaweed can reduce cows’ methane emissions:

Asparagopsis is My Hero – Serene’s Synopsis 9

Asparagopsis is My Hero – Serene’s Synopsis 9

“Feeding cows seaweed could cut their methane emissions by 82%, scientists say; Researchers found cows belched out 82% less methane after putting small amount of seaweed in their feed for five months.” Guardian [London, England], 18 Mar. 2021, p. NA. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A655441826/OVIC?u=ante588&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=43dd955e. Accessed 28 Sept. 2022.

“Kowbucha, seaweed, vaccines: the race to reduce cows’ methane emissions; Agriculture is the largest anthropogenic source of this gas, accounting for about 40%, leading innovators to offer new solutions to tackle its bovine source.” Guardian [London, England], 30 Sept. 2021, p. NA. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A677402751/OVIC?u=ante588&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=1374d58d. Accessed 2 Oct. 2022.