South African scientists target methane reduction in cow emissions
A laboratory in South Africa is aiming to contribute to global efforts to reduce methane emissions causing climate change by starting with supplementing livestock feed.
Bahari Labs seeks to leverage scientific exploits to formulate a livestock feed supplement with seaweed as a major ingredient which would drastically reduce methane emissions in cattle, South African-based News 24 reports.
According to the founder of Bahari Labs, Jay Van der Walt, “Red seaweed reduces methane by a massive amount without having a detrimental effect on cattle.”
Van der Walt further explained that “red seaweed is being grown in indoor tanks, at two aquariums in Cape Town, one in Sea Point and another at the University of Cape Town… We will be growing the seaweed on land so that we can properly control temperature, water flow and light conditions.”
Adding that not only are they helping reduce methane emission by this initiative but also cutting down the cost burden on cattle farmers and increasing profitability of the venture.
He said, "Grain farmers who have lost their income due to extreme drought could transition to seaweed farming."
On the reason for their initiative Van der Walt told News 24 that "the climate emergency is very real, and to prevent planetary warming beyond 1.5°C, we need to reduce emissions… we're on a mission to enable farmers, food corporations, and responsible consumers to help with this reduction whilst creating jobs in the process.”
A study conducted in 2020 concluded that emissions from livestock can be effectively controlled by lacing red seaweed with feed. The seaweed can impede the methane generation process without causing harm to the animals. Therefore, incorporating 0.10% and 0.20% of red seaweed into the diet of Brahman and Angus cattle has the potential to decrease methane emissions by approximately 40% and 98%, respectively.
