In the early hours of the morning, before the sun has even begun to rise, Kyle Moellar, an apprentice at Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment, starts his day by guiding a herd of cows into the milking parlor. Each cow patiently waits her turn in the stalls, her udders sanitized before the milking process begins. As Kyle milks them, he gently thanks each cow, showing a deep appreciation for the work they do. These cows, living a traditional life on the farm, are part of an innovative experiment involving a unique ingredient—local seaweed.
Wolfe’s Neck Center, home to around 40 milking cows producing over 1,000 pounds of organic milk daily, recently participated in a research trial with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Boothbay, Maine. The goal was to investigate whether feeding seaweed to cows could help reduce the methane they produce. The initial results have shown promise, but there are still challenges to address, particularly in making this solution financially viable for dairy farmers. If successful, this approach could not only significantly decrease carbon emissions in the dairy industry but also play a crucial role in protecting Maine’s coastal economy from the impacts of climate change.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas with 80 times more warming power than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, is a major contributor to global warming. Cows, in particular, are significant methane emitters, releasing the gas as a byproduct of their digestion process. The United Nations has emphasized the importance of reducing methane emissions to combat climate change, stating that it is a key lever for slowing global warming in the next 25 years.
Nichole Price, a senior research scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, has been leading a team of scientists in exploring seaweed-based solutions to reduce methane emissions from cows. Inspired by research from Australia on the effectiveness of a tropical seaweed called Asparagopsis, Price and her team began experimenting with native seaweeds in Maine in 2015. Initial studies have shown promising results, with potential methane reductions of up to 50%. While further data is pending publication, Price expresses excitement about the progress made so far.
One of the challenges faced in using seaweed as a methane-reducing additive is the stability of the bioactive compound, bromoform, found in seaweed. Price and her team are working on stabilizing the compound to ensure consistent methane reduction in cows’ digestive systems. Additionally, they are exploring policy advancements that could facilitate FDA certification for their product, potentially opening up new markets for Maine’s seaweed industry.
Atlantic Sea Farms, a pioneering seaweed company in Casco Bay, Maine, has been instrumental in cultivating the region’s seaweed industry. By working with local fishermen to grow kelp in the winter months, Atlantic Sea Farms has seen significant growth in its production over the years. The company’s efforts not only aim to diversify Maine’s marine resource economy but also to address the environmental challenges facing the region, such as the impact of warming waters on the lobster industry.
While the potential of seaweed as a methane-reducing additive holds promise, there are practical challenges to address, such as the cost-effectiveness of the solution for dairy farmers. Organic dairy farmers, like those at Wolfe’s Neck Center, have more control over their margins, but conventional dairy farmers face fluctuating feed costs and milk prices. Finding a balance between environmental benefits and economic viability will be crucial in ensuring widespread adoption of seaweed as a methane-reducing feed additive.
Research is also underway to explore additional benefits of seaweed additives, such as higher milk yields or health benefits for cows that could reduce veterinary costs. Policy developments, including the Innovative FEED Act of 2023, could provide a regulatory pathway for seaweed products in the agricultural industry. The potential for selling carbon credits for methane reduction further adds to the economic incentives for farmers to adopt seaweed additives.
While challenges remain, the collaboration between aquaculturists, terrestrial farmers, and researchers like Nichole Price offers a glimpse of a sustainable future where innovative solutions address both environmental and economic concerns. By harnessing the power of seaweed to reduce methane emissions and support coastal economies, this work represents a win-win-win scenario for farmers, the environment, and the broader community.
