Climate Adaptation
Fonterra Says Feeding Cows Seaweed Could Curb Methane Emissions
A dairy cow stands at a farm that supplies to Fonterra.
Photographer: Brendon O'Hagan/This article is for subscribers only.
New Zealand’s Fonterra Cooperative Group, the world’s largest dairy exporter, is optimistic that feeding a seaweed supplement to cows can help reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Laboratory research has shown that Asparagopsis seaweed has the potential to reduce the methane expelled by cows by over 80%, the Auckland-based company said Friday. It has been testing the supplement at a farm in Tasmania and is now expanding the trial to more Australian farms.